Using user-attribute ontologies to calculate user-anonymity degrees

摘要

Computerized methods and systems for using user-attribute ontologies to calculate anonymity levels are provided. A semi-automated mechanism permits selective and optionally progressive exposure of demographic and clinical information to other members of a medical social network group that a member has joined. When a user decides to join a medical social network group (which may be based upon system suggestion or initiated of the user's own accord), he or she selects or creates a profile that has a statistically validated degree of anonymity, ranging from fully anonymous to fully transparent. Based upon a user's elected level of exposure, only certain data is exposed to the rest of the group's membership. Thus, the user is permitted to personally balance the tension between exposing a level of information that may render him or her personally identifiable and exposing enough information to obtain meaningful advice and/or camaraderie.