A data sharing methodology and structure for communication between users
of digital Internet-accessible devices, such as set-top boxes, is
described. Users of Internet-accessible devices can establish connections
between trusted users of other Internet-accessible devices and transfer
personal information using either the Internet or the public switched
telephone network (PSTN). Some examples of the type of information that
may be transferred include IP addresses, e-mail, multimedia objects, and
voice data. Once personal identification information has been exchanged,
future communications may be easily re-established and maintained.