Abstract: A method including: receiving a client application for distribution to user devices; receiving a secret authentication key associated with the client application; securing with digital rights management technology the secret authentication key associated with the client application; and providing an application package comprising the client application and the secured secret authentication key for distribution to user devices.

Abstract: An approach is provided for intuitive management of privacy settings, which includes receiving data that indicates a contact radius and an information radius. The contact radius is related to how socially close a contact is to a user who is registered with a network service. The information radius is related to how private the information about the user is. In response to a request from the contact for information about the user, information about the user is provided, which has an information radius value in a range that is based on a value of the contact radius associated with the contact.