The real price of knowledge.

Byline: Peter Williams

The real price of knowledge

At the dawn of a new technological age, moments of doubt are inevitable. Despite the actual and potential benefits of the digital era, it is clear that many are now wondering whether the downsides in terms of loss of privacy and the threat of criminality are too high a price to pay.

According to a survey conducted for the Information Commissioner's Office, the public no longer has faith in the ability of government and other institutions to protect personal data. Over half the respondents said they had no confidence in the way banks, local authorities and government departments handled personal information.

So how can society regain its faith in the correct use of information? No one who has seen the advances achieved by the information industry over the past decade can be in any doubt that this digital era presents immense opportunities for the spread of learning and knowledge.

Yet if confidence is not restored in the integrity and security of data, there is a real danger that progress will stall.