Apparatus and method for double-blind instant messaging

摘要

A computer-implemented method is described comprising: mapping a first user's primary text or instant messaging ("IM") address managed by a primary text/IM messaging system to a pseudo-text/IM address managed by an intermediary text/IM system; publishing the pseudo-text/IM address but not the primary text/IM address to a plurality of text/IM users, the plurality of text/IM users establishing text/IM sessions with the first user via the pseudo-text/IM address; defining a first set of users within the plurality who are permitted to view presence information related to the first user's text/IM activity within the primary text/IM system and a second set of users who are not permitted to view the presence information; receiving presence information related to the first user from the primary text/IM system; and providing the presence information only to the users within the first set.