Should Consumers Trust "Trusted Computing"?

Author

George Hariton, Hasini Palihapitya

Organization

Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)

Published

2005

Summary

Computer hardware and software manufacturers presently are investigating ways of improving computer security. Among the initiatives proposed is the “Trusted Computing” (TC) movement. While consumers would benefit from increased security, Trusted Computing has given rise to a number of concerns. Three in particular have been raised repeatedly, and merit further consideration: (1) Will TC expand the capabilities of content providers or owners to restrict the use of their content, under a concept called Digital Rights Management (DRM)? (2) Will TC be used to deliberately make software applications from different vendors incompatible, and “lock in” users to the products of a particular vendor? (3) Will TC enable surveillance of users, tracking the programs they use, the content they look at or listen to, and the transactions they engage in? This paper will describe Trusted Computing and current plans for its implementation. Next, it will review each of the three concerns mentioned above. The nature of the threat will be discussed and possible consumer safeguards will be described.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database