Using social networking thresholds in access control decisions

摘要

A method, program product and apparatus for controlling access to profile information, multi-media resources or social network functions of a first user by a second user not listed on a friend or group listing of the first user. An application retrieves a threshold criteria for access control and social network statistics in response to an attempted access by an entity without an appropriate privilege. The application compares the statistics to the threshold. Then, if the statistics meet the threshold criteria, the application allows access.

主权项

1. A method for controlling access to privileged content of a first user by a second user in a computer-based social networking environment, comprising the steps of:
verifying whether or not a second user has an appropriate privilege for accessing the privileged content; retrieving a threshold criteria for access control in response to an attempted access by a second user without an appropriate privilege; retrieving social network statistics; comparing the statistics to the threshold criteria; and allowing the second user access to the privileged content if the statistics meet the threshold criteria, wherein the threshold criteria comprises said second user being listed on a friends list by a predetermined number of users listed as friends by said first user for a predetermined period of time.