System and method for circumventing instant messaging do-not-disturb

A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

• requesting, from one or more do not disturb circumvention mediators, do-not-disturb status circumvention of an instant messaging user;
• receiving circumvention permission for the do-not-disturb status of the instant messaging user;
• and
• circumventing the do-not-disturb status of the instant messaging user based upon, at least in part, the circumvention permission.