Information provision method

An information provision method for use in an information providing server, the information provision method comprising:

• accumulating, in a first database, a first identifier identifying each of one or more service providers, and first device information indicating a device to be designated by each of the one or more service providers in association with each other;
• accumulating, in a second database, a second identifier identifying each of one or more users, and second device information indicating a device to be used by the one or more users in association with each other;
• extracting a user associated with the second device information from the one or more users when the first database is updated by addition of a new service provider, and when a device to be designated by the new service provider is included in the devices indicated by the second device information;
• generating first screen information indicating a setting screen, on which the associated user is allowed to set whether operation history information of the device to be designated by the new service provider is transmitted to a computer of the new service provider, the setting screen including (i) the new service provider, (ii) the device to be designated by the new service provider, (iii) the operation history information provided from the device to the new service provider, and (iv) an input field to accept an input by the associated user as to whether or not the device is permitted to provide the operation history information to the new service provider;
• transmitting the generated first screen information to a display terminal of the associated user;
• receiving, from the display terminal, an input result about the input by the associated user as to whether or not the device is permitted to provide the operation history information to the new service provider, and the second identifier identifying the associated user;
• registering, in the first database, the second identifier identifying a user who does not permit the device to provide the operation history information to the new service provider by associating the first identifier of the new service provider with the first device information of the device to be designated by the new service provider on the basis of the received input result;
• collecting one or more pieces of operation history information from one or more devices of the associated user via a first network;
• and
• referring to the first database, and transmitting, among the collected one or more pieces of operation history information, operation history information permitted by the associated user to be transmitted to a computer of the one or more service providers to the computer of the one or more service providers via a second network.