Time to address public IT security concerns
17/04/2008 13:38:10
Public concerns over online security are not being adequately addressed by IT companies and the government, according to the Open Rights Group (ORG).
The comments follow recent controversy surrounding telecommunications giant BT's use of the Phorm internet tracking service without telling its customers.
Becky Hogge, executive director of ORG, said that technology tracking user activity such as Phorm must comply with the data protection act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
"I don't think the recent controversy has made people more aware - rather I think it has shown how aware people already are of their rights to privacy online. It is now up to respectable companies, as well as the government, to respond to people's concerns," she added.
The news follows comments by Small Business Computing earlier this week suggesting that IT security is an especially important concern for small and mid-sized businesses as data loss can damage a company's reputation as well as its finances.
