Users of the internet will be less likely to remain
anonymous as users call for the widespread use ofauthentication, according to the
latest survey of technology industry trends from
Deloitte.
In its predictions for 2008 the company said internet users,
traders and regulators will demand authentication of those they
interact with.
"It is often argued that one of the greatest benefits of the web
is
anonymity. However in 2008, there will be an increasing
clamour, from regulators, users and online traders, for the
internet to require people to provide authenticated identity every
time they make a transaction via the web," said Jim Sloane,
technology media and telecommunications partner at Deloitte.
He said although some will see this as an "affront to liberty"
it could help business.
"For example, bolstering consumer confidence in e-commerce,
online auctions, internet chat rooms and other transactional
websites should help sustain growth, suppressing fears about the
growing volumes of online fraud or other malign behaviour."