http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/business/online-id-verification-plan-carries-risks.html
The article "Call it Your Online Drivers License” discusses the White House initiative called the “National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace.” This plan seeks to promote business online by providing heightened security and easing the minds of those who feel they have an increased risk of identity theft through activity online. This plan would provide consumers with the option of choosing a third-party, such as banks, or cell phone providers, to verify their identities instead of simply using a password.
In my opinion, the basic premise behind this plan would be a driving force that would increase the amount of business that takes place online. People who are wary about online identity theft would likely have more piece of mind while online knowing that their identities were protected by reliable third-party corporations. Having a password or two that apply to email, social networking, and banking accounts can indeed be risky. This plan would help do away with the risks that come along with insecure passwords.
Although many people would easily see the positives of this plan, I do not feel that it would appeal to everyone on the internet. This plan promotes a more secure online community, where people really are who they say they are online. If this plan were to go into action and become the dominant online security measure as the government is advocating, this will give people less opportunity to be someone they aren’t online, an idea that might not sit well with all internet users.
As discussed in class, virtual identities, or identities portrayed online through what one says about themselves online and their online activity, are often used as an emancipatory outlets. People often create virtual identities because they are able to reach a large audiences and are often able to find people who will give them positive feedback, thus improving their self-esteem. The increased notion that online activity must be strictly monitored by requiring people to prove who they are could be a disappointment to those seeking a virtual identity.
Not only would this be problematic to those looking for a liberating experience online, it also raises new questions about online security. With so many people trusting their personal information with a select few corporations, these would naturally become obvious targets of internet hackers. It also raises the issue of whether identity verifiers would try selling customer data. If the plan is implemented, I think the initial response would be positive, however I think that it would lead to a more complicated future for the internet, welcoming a slew of new security issues that would threaten peoples online identity at even greater levels.
