Researchers work on privacy protocols for IP
Published: 13 Dec 2000 10:29 GMT
A group of researchers and privacy proponents is working to develop new standards for network anonymity at the Internet Protocol level, a prospect that could mask the location of Web users.
The coalition, called the NymIP project, plans to create next-generation "pseudonymity and anonymity services for the Internet...designed using an open, public process", according to its Web site.
Formed last month and introduced at a recent Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) session, the group was spearheaded by Zero-Knowledge, which develops privacy technology, and Harvard University researcher Scott Bradner, who is also an area director for the IETF. The IETF is hosting a working group mailing list to discuss the issues surrounding the development of privacy standards.
The group formed to address the growing privacy implications involved with emerging technologies. For example, industry-wide acceptance of a new Internet protocol standard, or IP version 6, is poised to make tracing the physical locations of Web visitors much easier for the government and businesses.
An IP address is a unique number that designates every device connected to the Internet. Unlike a phone number, however, IP addresses are usually assigned to Net users every time they access the network, which makes it difficult to track online travels from session to session. Under the new protocol, those numbers wouldn't change as often. A Net user could have the same IP number for more than a year, for example.
Other privacy concerns include the FCC’s E911 program, which allows for geographic tracking of cell phone users.
The coalition plans to tackle such issues by encouraging open discussion and research among members. "The idea behind privacy is transparency," Shostack said.
By developing a common ground between researchers and companies, the NymIP project hopes to develop a trusted, standardised system for protecting privacy that may be more easily accepted by the industry and consumers.
Other members of the group include Lance Cottrell, president of Anonymizer.com, Steve Bellovin, a researcher at AT&T Labs, and Ross Anderson, professor at Cambridge University in England.
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