US Patent 7848501 Storage abuse prevention

The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates mitigation of storage abuse in connection with free storage provided by messaging service providers such as email, instant messaging, chat, blogging, and/or web hosting service providers. The system and method involve measuring the outbound volume of stored data. When the volume satisfies a threshold, a cost can be imposed on the account to mitigate the suspicious or abusive activity. Other factors can be considered as well that can modify the cost imposed on the cost such as by increasing the cost. Machine learning can be employed as well to predict a level or degree of suspicion. The various factors or the text of the messages can be used as input for the machine learning system.