The Novell system and what it could mean . . .
I think that the Novell cyber-ID "vault" has a couple of drawbacks not shared by a biometrically-protected smart card system, but it doesn't look like their differences should make them incompatible.
For instance, the Novell approach requires a massive centralization of personal information -- protected by Novell. If Novell sells you out, that's it for your privacy. Passing legislation to keep this temptation away from the secret-keeper is therefore a good idea. Also, if Novell's "vault" is insecure, its whole system collapses. Likewise, it could be subject to outages or bugs, which are worse the more centralized a system becomes.
However, I don't think the information collected by Novell is the same information you would have on your smart card. Novell would have information on where you shop; the smart card would have information on what you own or what physical shape you are in. That latter information is secured in your smart card/portable data base, and locked by the biometrics. The Novell information should also be locked by the biometrics, so no one but you knows what you are doing on the Web -- unless you give permission.
Who loses under the Novell system (aside from Microsoft and competitors)? I guess the marketers do. They can't vacuum up information about you without your knowledge. Not so good for the Yahoos of the world that could be selling you out. Not so good for a free NY Times on the Web either, that can't sell information on users to advertisers. All those portal controllers would lose out. But if Novell wins, it's the next Microsoft and can carry along with it the next Intels (like Verisign and, we'd hope, IDX). |
