An information processing apparatus communicates through a network. The apparatus includes an updating decision section, a notification information production section, an output controller, a receiver, and an operation controller. The updating decision section decides whether at least one of a plurality of connection priority degrees between a different information processing apparatus and opposite parties of communication including the information processing apparatus has been updated. The notification information production section produces notification information to be used for notification of the connection priority degree between the different information processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus. The output controller controls the output of the notification information produced by the notification information production section. The receiver receives data from the different information processing apparatus. The operation controller controls execution of control corresponding to the received data based on the connection priority degree.