File access permission revocation notification

Abstract

A data storage system providing data access to multiple users is provided. The data storage system includes a data store configured to store electronic files and a processor operably coupled to the data store. Memory is operably coupled to the processor and stores instructions that, when executed, provide an access control component that allows certain users to interact with a given electronic file of the stored electronic files. The processor is configured to detect a change to the given electronic file that affects a user's access to the given electronic file and responsively generate a notification to the user that allows the user to request renewed access to the given electronic file.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computing system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the computing system to:
 detect a change of a particular access right assigned to a user from a first state in which the particular assess right allows the user to access a given electronic file to a second state in which the user no longer has the access to the given electronic file using the particular access right; 
 determine occurrence of a loss of access rights for the user relative to the given electronic file based on the detected change of the particular access right; 
 in response to the occurrence of the loss of access rights, send an electronic message to the user that is separate from the given electronic file and includes:
 a file identifier that identifies the given electronic file and indicates the occurrence of the loss of access rights, and 
 a user input mechanism actuatable to send a request for renewed access relative to the given electronic file; and 
 
 in response to an indication of user actuation of the user input mechanism in the electronic message, send the request for renewed access for the user relative to the given electronic file. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic message comprises an electronic mail (email) message. 
     
     
         3 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic message includes an indication of a party that caused the loss of access rights for the user to the given electronic file. 
     
     
         4 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the request for renewed access is sent to a responsible party having a right to grant the renewed access for the user to the given electronic file. 
     
     
         5 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions cause the computing system to:
 generate a user interface including a user interface element that, when actuated, sets an alert for the loss of access rights to the given electronic file;   store an alert association between the user and the given electronic file, the alert association defining the loss of access alert for a loss of access rights of the user to the given electronic file; and   in response to the occurrence of the loss of access rights,
 access the stored alert association, and 
 send the electronic message to the user based on the stored alert association. 
   
     
     
         6 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the computing system to:
 determine one or more users who have lost the access rights relative to the given electronic file; and   determine that the one or more users includes the user and, in response, send the electronic message to the user.   
     
     
         7 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the computing system to:
 determine user interest in the given electronic file based on a determination that user interaction by the user with the given electronic file is above a threshold; and   based on the user interest, set a loss of access alert on the given electronic file.   
     
     
         8 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the threshold comprises a number of times that the user has interacted with the given electronic file within a defined time period. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 detecting a change of a particular access right assigned to a user from a first state in which the particular assess right allows the user to access a given electronic file to a second state in which the user no longer has the access to the given electronic file using the particular access right;   determining occurrence of a loss of access rights for the user relative to the given electronic file based on the detected change of the particular access right;   in response to the occurrence of the loss of access rights, sending an electronic message to the user that is separate from the given electronic file and includes:
 a file identifier that identifies the given electronic file and indicates the occurrence of the loss of access rights, and 
 a user input mechanism actuatable to send a request for renewed access relative to the given electronic file; and 
   in response to an indication of user actuation of the user input mechanism in the electronic message, sending the request for renewed access for the user relative to the given electronic file.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic message comprises an electronic mail (email) message. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , wherein the electronic message includes an indication of a party that caused the loss of access rights for the user to the given electronic file. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , and further comprising sending the request for renewed access to a responsible party having a right to grant the renewed access for the user to the given electronic file. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , and further comprising:
 generating a user interface including a user interface element that, when actuated, sets an alert for the loss of access rights to the given electronic file;   storing an alert association between the user and the given electronic file, the alert association defining the loss of access alert for a loss of access rights of the user to the given electronic file; and   in response to the occurrence of the loss of access rights,
 accessing the stored alert association, and 
 sending the electronic message to the user based on the stored alert association. 
   
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , and further comprising:
 determining one or more users who have lost the access rights relative to the given electronic file; and   determining that the one or more users includes the user and, in response, send the electronic message to the user.   
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , and further comprising:
 determining user interest in the given electronic file based on a determination that user interaction by the user with the given electronic file is above a threshold; and   based on the user interest, setting a loss of access alert on the given electronic file.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the threshold comprises a number of times that the user has interacted with the given electronic file within a defined time period. 
     
     
         17 . A computer system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   memory operably coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
 receive an indication of an access right corresponding to a particular user, wherein the access right allows the user access to a particular electronic file; 
 store an alert association between the particular user and the particular electronic file, the alert association defining a loss of access alert for a loss of the access right, corresponding to the particular user, to the particular electronic file; 
 detect occurrence of the loss of the access right of the particular user to the particular electronic file,
 wherein, after the occurrence of the loss of the access right, the particular user no longer has the access to the particular electronic file; and 
 
 in response to the occurrence of loss of the access right,
 send a notification to the particular user based on the stored alert association, wherein the notification identifies the occurrence of the loss of the access right and includes a user input mechanism configured to request renewed access to the particular electronic file for the particular user based on user actuation of the user input mechanism in the notification. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to:
 automatically set the loss of access alert based on a determination that user interaction with the particular electronic file is above a threshold.   
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 18 , wherein the threshold includes a number of times that the particular user has interacted with the particular electronic file within a defined time period. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein the notification comprises an electronic message to the particular user that is separate from the particular electronic file.