Online ID checks on the way?

22-01-2008

by Stephen Errity

2008 could be the year that sees web users having to identify and authenticate themselves before making any online transactions, according to Deloitte.

The predicted demise of online anonymity is one of several trends identified for 2008 by the Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) arm of the consulting firm in its latest report. The authors say that although a move to online authentication may be seen as an affront to liberty by some, it could help to bolster consumer confidence in e-commerce, online auctions, internet chat rooms and other transactional websites by allaying fears about the growing volume of online fraud.

Other technology predictions contained in the report include a rise in the perceived value of digital protection, as consumers end up spending more on virus protection, backup services and insurance over the life of their IT hardware than they did on the initial purchase.

Deloitte also says that physical music could make a comeback of sorts as consumers become disillusioned with the intangibility of digital downloads. USB memory sticks or small MP3 players pre-loaded with albums or even an entire back catalogue could become popular. Like Radiohead's 'pay what you like' policy, however, this may apply only to more established and popular acts and not represent a way forward for the industry as a whole.

Elsewhere, the report says that the growing obsession with all things green will invade living rooms in 2008, with concern over the contribution TVs, video game consoles and music systems make to our carbon footprint set to become a major issue. Web TV is also tipped to come of age this year, as broadcasters find ways to make online content complement rather than replace their traditional programming.

In the telecoms sector, Deloitte believes acquisitions will continue to feature highly in 2008, with fast-growing developing-world companies competing on an equal footing with the more established players for the most desirable purchases.

The report also says that the falling cost of GPS will lead to it being offered on more phones than ever before, but that operators may initially be unsure as to how to exploit the technology best. However, several companies in Ireland and abroad are developing services and applications to take advantage of satellite navigation facilities, such as localised adverts or listings, and it may not be long before the more widespread adoption of GPS begins to benefit the mobile operators.