Control of access to data content for read and/or write operations

摘要

A data storage device 10 having a non-volatile memory 12 for storing data content 4 and a control processor 18 operable to evaluate selected said data content 4 to establish whether there is a match between a characteristic of, or a derivative of, said data content 4 and a reference data content characteristic 7 or derivative, and to take an action in response to establishment of said match. Actions taken may include: disconnecting or denying access, reporting to a third party (e.g. system administrator). Storing data or billing the user. Data content may be evaluated before or after being stored.