Methods and apparatus for integrating social network metrics and reputation data

A method to be performed in a network environment in which packets are exchanged, comprising:

• receiving a communication from a first user, wherein the communication is intended for a second user;
• verifying that the second user is part of a social network before attempting to deliver the communication to the second user;
• evaluating a social distance value that exists between the second user and the first user in the social network;
• evaluating a reliability factor value associated with the first user, wherein the reliability factor value is based at least in part on previous communications authored by the first user, and wherein the social distance value and the reliability factor value are integrated to generate a combination value;
• and
• determining whether to present the communication to the second user based on whether the combination value exceeds a threshold value designated by the second user.

Logic encoded in non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a communication from a first user, wherein the communication is intended for a second user;
• verifying that the second user is part of a social network before attempting to deliver the communication to the second user;
• evaluating a social distance value that exists between the second user and the first user in the social network;
• evaluating a reliability factor value associated with the first user, wherein the reliability factor value is based at least in part on previous communications authored by the first user, and wherein the social distance value and the reliability factor value are integrated to generate a combination value;
• and
• determining whether to present the communication to the second user based on whether the combination value exceeds a threshold value designated by the second user.

A computer system, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor and the memory cooperate such that the computer system is configured for:
• receiving a communication from a first user, wherein the communication is intended for a second user;
• verifying that the second user is part of a social network before attempting to deliver the communication to the second user;
• evaluating a social distance value that exists between the second user and the first user in the social network;
• evaluating a reliability factor value associated with the first user, wherein the reliability factor value is based at least in part on previous communications authored by the first user, and wherein the social distance value and the reliability factor value are integrated to generate a combination value;
• and
• determining whether to present the communication to the second user based on whether the combination value exceeds a threshold value designated by the second user.