A method, system, and apparatus are provided for maintaining user privacy in a knowledge interchange ("KI") system. A user may provide privacy preferences relating to their participation in the KI system. The user may identify specific keywords, noun phrases, and contacts that should not be transmitted to a server computer. The user may also specify whether each keyword, noun phrase, or contact should be public or private. If a public keyword is identified during a search query as being associated with the user, the user's identity will be made available to a seeker If a private keyword is identified during a search query as being associated with the user, the user's identity will not be made available and a brokered communication process between the seeker and the user will be performed.