Patent ID: 8407607

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for presenting identity data to users interacting with one another in a virtual environment, comprising: storing personal identity information associated with a first user, a second user, and a third user, respectively, the personal identity information comprising for each user, a plurality of personal identity information elements; monitoring communications between the first user, the second user, and the third user to determine what personal identity information is revealed between the first user, the second user, and the third user based on communications therebetween; determining that the first user has initiated a communication to the second user accessible by the third user, wherein the communication is determined to be accessible by the third user based on a determination that the third user is in the presence of the first user in the virtual environment, and that the communication discloses a personal identity information element of the plurality of personal identity information elements associated with the second user; if the personal identity information element has not been previously revealed to the third user by the second user, programmatically replacing, by operation of one or more computer processors, the personal identity information element with an alias associated with the personal identity information element and outputting the alias, to prevent the first user from disclosing the personal identity information element to the third user, and if the personal identity information element has been previously revealed to the third user by the second user, outputting the personal identity information element to the third user without programmatically replacing the personal identity information element with an alias associated with the second information element; determining, based on the monitored communications between the users, which personal identity information elements associated with the first and second users have been previously revealed between the first and second users and which personal identity information elements associated with the first and third users have been previously revealed between the first and third users; and presenting, to the first user, a visual display of said determined previously revealed personal identity information elements in response to a request from the first user.