In an embodiment, a method includes receiving a request from a controlling user to publish particular content. The method also includes determining at least one topic of the particular content. The method further includes allowing the controlling user to select need-to-know criteria, the need-to-know criteria comprising one or more thresholds relating to a prevalence of the at least one topic in logged conversations of a requesting user. In addition, the method includes allowing a controlling user to select a trust threshold, wherein the trust threshold relates, at least in part, to a quantitative analysis of logged behavior of a requesting user on the communications platform. Further, the method includes generating based, at least in part, on the need-to-know criteria and the trust threshold, a self-service access policy for the particular content. Also, the method includes activating the self-service access policy as to the particular content.