METHODS FOR AUTHORIZING TRANSMISSION OF CONTENT FROM FIRST TO SECOND INDIVIDUAL AND AUTHENTICATION AN INDIVIDUAL BASED ON AN INDIVIDUEL'S SOCIAL NETWORK

摘要

An individual's social network is used to authorize information flow (660) to the individual and authenticate the individual for access to certain information or services. Information flow to the individual is authorized if the source of the information is a member of the individual's social network who is connected to the individual along a path that does not traverse through anyone on a gray list of the individual (650). The individual is authenticated for access to certain information or services, if a member of the individual's social network already has access and is connected to the individual along a path that does not traverse through anyone on a gray list of the individual, or if members of the individual's social network who are connected to the individual along a path that does not traverse through anyone on a gray list of the individual have an average authentication rating above a minimum value.