If you read the proproco link, you’ll realise that the generic solution is a rather complex application of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), hence the extended interval between the implementation of PKI and the first realistic implementation of privacy based on it.

There have been many attempts at solutions, primarily relying on consumer pressure to force solution providers to address privacy.  To no avail.  Instead, Credentica created a software developers kit (SDK) called U-Prove to easily permit manufacturers to inculcate the solution into their products.  This has led to some significant interest in the inventor of the technology, Stefan Brands and his company.

Only a couple of few weeks ago, Bruce Schneier wrote about the company on his blog and suggested that although a great idea, he couldn’t see a viable business model, although he hoped to be proven wrong.  Consider this proof of being wrong!

Kim Cameron Chief architect of identity and access at Microsoft (and Brands’ new boss) has his own blog and commented there that “U-Prove is the equivalent in the privacy world of RSA in the security space.”

This is an exciting new time in the development of privacy – probably the first time that a major company has done more than pay lip-service.  We can only hope that the stated promises to include other developers, other solutions, will in fact be realised.