Using biometric verification to grant access to redacted content

Abstract

Some embodiments provide an electronic device with a novel content redaction engine. The content redaction engine of some embodiments determines whether to redact content for output based on whether a user is biometrically verified. When the content redaction engine receives verification data indicating that the user is biometrically verified, the device displays content without any portion redacted. On the other hand, when the content redaction engine does not receive such verification data, the device displays the content with at least a portion redacted. The electronic device of some embodiments additionally includes a biometric reader and a biometric verification engine. The biometric reader reads a person's uniquely identifying biometric data (e.g., thumbprint/fingerprint, iris scan, voice, etc.). This biometric information is then read by the biometric verification engine for comparison to a stored set of verified user biometric data. When the biometric data matches the stored data, the person is verified.

1 . A machine implemented method comprising:
 storing a set of content for display on a first device in an application of the first device, wherein a portion but not all of the set of content is marked for redaction based on one or more of the type of content or user input that selected the content for redaction or user input of a first user that sets one or more permissions of different users on one or more different devices including a second user of a second device;   displaying the set of content with the marked portion redacted on the first device in the application;   receiving biometric verification data indicating whether the first user of the first device is verified through biometric data; and   when the biometric verification data indicates that the user is verified, displaying the set of content without any portion redacted while the first device receives the biometric verification data indicating the first user is verified.   
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1  wherein the biometric verification data is provided by a biometric reader that includes a camera and wherein the redacted content is selected by user input through a redaction tool available for the application, and the redaction tool allows the user input to specify one or more permissions. 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 2  wherein the camera is a scanning camera. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 3  wherein the content comprises a notification or financial information. 
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 1  wherein the display of unredacted content is switched to displaying redacted content as soon as the biometric verification data indicates the first user is not verified. 
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 5  wherein the switch to the display of redacted content is caused by an event that indicates that a biometric reader is no longer receiving data indicating that the first user is verified. 
     
     
         7 . The method as in  claim 6  wherein the switch is caused when the first user removes a biometric input. 
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 1  wherein the redacted content is marked for redaction based on (1) the user input that selected the content for redaction and (2) the user input that sets the one or more permissions. 
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 8  wherein the first user selects content for redaction to redact the selected content when the second user views the set of content on the second device. 
     
     
         10 . The method as in  claim 9  wherein the display of the redacted portion comprises one of: (1) blurring the redacted content; (2) placing a black bar over the redacted content; or (3) removing the redacted content. 
     
     
         11 . A non-transitory machine readable medium storing executable instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform a method, the method comprising:
 storing a set of content for display on a first device in an application of the first device, wherein a portion but not all of the set of content is marked for redaction based on one or more of the type of content or user input that selected the content for redaction or user input of a first user that sets one or more permissions of different users on one or more different devices including a second user of a second device;   displaying the set of content with the marked portion redacted on the first device in the application;   receiving biometric verification data indicating whether the first user of the first device is verified through biometric data; and   when the biometric verification data indicates that the user is verified, displaying the set of content without any portion redacted while the first device receives the biometric verification data indicating the first user is verified.   
     
     
         12 . The medium as in  claim 11  wherein the biometric verification data is provided by a biometric reader that includes a camera and wherein the redacted content is selected by user input through a redaction tool available for the application, and the redaction tool allows the user input to specify one or more permissions. 
     
     
         13 . The medium as in  claim 12  wherein the camera is a scanning camera. 
     
     
         14 . The medium as in  claim 13  wherein the content comprises a notification or financial information. 
     
     
         15 . The medium as in  claim 11  wherein the display of unredacted content is switched to displaying redacted content as soon as the biometric verification data indicates the first user is not verified. 
     
     
         16 . The medium as in  claim 15  wherein the switch to the display of redacted content is caused by an event that indicates that a biometric reader is no longer receiving data indicating that the first user is verified. 
     
     
         17 . The medium as in  claim 16  wherein the switch is caused when the first user removes a biometric input. 
     
     
         18 . The medium as in  claim 11  wherein the redacted content is marked for redaction based on (1) the user input that selected the content for redaction and (2) the user input that sets the one or more permissions. 
     
     
         19 . The medium as in  claim 18  wherein the first user selects content for redaction to redact the selected content when the second user views the set of content on the second device. 
     
     
         20 . The medium as in  claim 19  wherein the display of the redacted portion comprises one of:
 (1) blurring the redacted content; (2) placing a black bar over the redacted content; or (3) removing the redacted content.