Patent ID: 7802267

Claim:
A computing system having a processor wherein the processor executes instructions to implement a user controlled application program interface (API) allowing application compliance according to computer system policies, the API comprising: a query interface implemented on said processor, said query interface providing queries from a compliant application to the API for checking by the API against multiple polices regarding restrictions on features that are exposed by the compliant application and stored in a settings store of the computing system, wherein the policies are set to protect the user from exposure to application features deemed to be harmful to the user; a notification interface implemented on said processor, said notification interface providing a notification to the compliant application as to which policies are being implemented by said processor, the notification interface further notifying the compliant application and other compliant applications affected by said implemented policies of the impact of compliance with the implemented policies; and an instruction interface implemented on said processor, the instruction interface providing an instruction to the compliant application to implement a particular behavior in regard to an implemented policy.