Modifying the Attitudes and Behaviours of
Potential End Users with respect to
ICT-Based Identification Technologies

Law, Propaganda, and Education
in Technology Diffusion

A PhD Proposal

Steven Clark BSc(Hons) LLB/LP(Hons)
Principal Supervisor Professor Paul Swatman

“There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment. How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork.”

George Orwell (1949) 1984, p.1

Problem Domain: Context

The desire for security can conflict with individual freedoms in liberal democracies.

Adequate identification is a common prerequisite for access to information systems.

Governments seek to improve the security of identification, which raises the spectre of Big Brother for many individuals.

Subjects: About Whom

This research will investigate the concerns of individuals, governments, and corporations.

The media are a special case: forum for others; commentator; actor.

For our purposes the media provide a convenient barometer of public opinion.

Audience: For Whom

It is anticipated that the research will be relevant to governments and their agencies, private organisations, academics, and activists.

It should also form part of the wider community discussion of these technologies.

Focus: About What

This research will examine the how Law, Propaganda, and Education can and are used to modify the behaviour and attitudes of individuals towards certain ICT-based identification technologies.

In particular, government-sponsored identity cards.

Concerns: Big Brother

How do we balance the interests of governments and individuals?

People want privacy and they want security.

They are concerned that pervasive identification can enable pervasive observation.

They don’t like the idea of being spied upon.

Research Questions

How can we Modify the Attitudes and Behaviours of Potential End Users towards the Diffusion of ICT-Based Identification Technologies?

What are these attitudes and behaviours, and why is it desirable to modify them?

Are there any limitations on the means available or the outcomes pursued?

How can Law; Propaganda; or Education assist?

How can we apply these results in the future?

Theory: Analytical Lens

Ng-Krulle (2006) Price of Convenience, modified by Clark (2007)

Methodology

Ng-Krulle (2006) Structured Case, modified by Clark (2007)

Outcomes

A body of empirical evidence.

Testing an evaluation process.

Raising awareness.

Suggesting solutions.

Innovations can test the capacity of society to maintain its’ core values in light of competing interests.

Will we lose ourselves in pervasive identification technologies?

"Liberty can not be preserved without a general knowledge among the people."

John Adams (August 1765)
Second President of the
United States of America (1735-1826)