Abstract: A system and method for controlling communications between parties that are known to each other is provided. Communications are received from a first and a second party that are identified to each other, and include the parties respective levels of interest in an issue relating to the parties. If a particular party does not communicate its level of interest within an given timeframe, that party's level of interest may be assumed to be a default level of interest. Representations of the levels of interest are then communicated to the parties as a function of the levels of interest. In some situations, based on a given party's level of interest, a representation of the counterparty's level of interest may not be communicated to the party.