Frequently asked questions

1. Why have you launched this initiative?

As noted in the founder’s Memorandum of Understanding, trust is an essential prerequisite for connecting people in effective human and enterprise transactions. It builds in our society on the rule of law and stable democratic institutions, as well as elements like security, privacy, transparency, accountability and reputation. However, with information and communications technology (ICT) increasingly pervading all human activity, we also see worrying developments with respect to crime and erosion of privacy. It is essential to safeguard the European social “acquis” in a future world where many human and business activities are provisioned by complex technology infrastructures and digital services. European strategy must aim at a strong competitive position in producing innovative solutions which bring new attractive ways of living and working. But in order for these solutions to be accepted by citizens, business, and governments, they must be perceived trustworthy and strengthen Europe’s social values; and they must ensure an experience of sense and simplicity. In sum, we must build Trust in Digital Life.

2. What are you seeking to achieve?

There are four key elements the Trust in Digital Life Partnership is trying to achieve: 1) Members will work to define a vision for trustworthy ICT-related products, including devices, applications, services, and infrastructures. Central to this vision shall be a recognition of the importance of the rule of law, security, and privacy and other core democratic freedoms in contributing to trustworthiness. 2) The initiative will translate this vision into an agenda for research and innovation, placing particular emphasis on transparency and accountability. 3) In the process, there will be coordination with other initiatives as the initiative takes an inventory of emergent digital technologies that can be combined to implement the vision, and it will engage in a broad dialog. 4) By presenting scenarios, or use cases, members will illustrate how combinations of trustworthy ICTrelated products can give effect to specific public policy goals.

3. How will you measure whether you are being successful?

Success will be measured by the degree to which the vision, agenda, coordination, and scenarios resulting from the initiative give attention to (a) enabling checks and balances and separation of powers in the European tradition, and (b) honoring European values such as privacy, freedom of expression, protection of minorities, freedom of association, and freedom of belief – which work together to allow society to critique and correct itself. Aspects will include: how characteristics of trustworthiness will align with fair information principles; identifying characteristics of trustworthiness that developers may use as a reference point in their designs; methods for classifying and signaling trustworthiness; and mechanisms that reflect democratic structures and values.

4. Who are the founders, and why are they well positioned to embark on this endeavor?

The initial four founders – Gemalto, Microsoft, Nokia, Philips – are all key leaders in fundamental areas that will be instrumental to further build a Trustworthy ICT ecosystem.
Gemalto is a leader in digital security with applications for eGov, payment and telecom. Microsoft is a leader for secure operating systems, enterprise and consumer applications and data management. Nokia is a leader for Internet and service-enabled mobile devices and network communications. As ahealth and well-being company, Philips is bringing more health and wellbeing services to the home.

5. Is this initiative a “public-private partnership (PPP)”?

The Trust in Digital Life Partnership aims to involve public administrations, including those dealing with regulation and those helping to shape research and innovation. Until we are so engaged, we prefer to refer to our collaboration as an “initiative” or “effort”, and to our group as a “Partnership”. It is appropriate to say we are heading “towards a public-private partnership”.

6. Will the initiative expand beyond the European Union?

The project in its initial two-year phase will focus on the dialog at EU level between all the stakeholders involved into the technology roadmap and the necessary policies to develop trustworthy ICT-related solutions. This focus will ensure tangible results. It is not excluded that a renewed effort could expand activity beyond the EU in a later phase.

7. What are the technologies necessary to build a trustworthy product or service in digital life?

There is no single recipe, but several key technologies are likely to be strategic elements.
In general terms, the scope of the collaboration includes devices, applications, services, and infrastructure (what we refer to as “ICT-related products” in the Overview document). More specifically, the list includes (but is not limited to) secure authentication, data life cycle management (storage, revision management, access control), network security, operating systems, connected appliances, applications software and Web services. Solutions will be proposed for issues like activation/deactivation of services, data retention, certificates and identity management, etc.

8. What are the domains of applications that are priorities today for policy makers?

Solutions to encourage EU citizens to fully embrace all eGov related services are a high priority (eID, eHealth, eSignature for electronic documents, etc.). All matters that relate to the safety and the privacy protection of EU citizens in their daily usage of the Internet for applications such as e-commerce, e-banking and instant messaging, for example, are critical to both the EU economy and the respect of citizen rights.

9. Will the outcome of the technology roadmap be made available to members only? To a broader audience? Via licensing?

Results of the Trust in Digital Life Partnership will be made public. The association will be open to new members from the industry, research groups or public entities that are active stakeholders in ICT-related matters. Members will be first to benefit from the resulting technology roadmap and will also contribute to dialog with policy makers.

10. How long is the initiative foreseen to last?

The initiative has set its initial plan for a two year period. It is much anticipated, however, that the efforts of technology enhancements and the dialog with policy makers will have an impact beyond this initial two-year term.

11. Who can join this partnership?

This is an open initiative and organizations with a demonstrated interest in promoting trustworthiness in ICT-related products (including devices, applications, services, and infrastructure) are eligible to apply for formal membership. Whether applicants are companies, research labs, academics or government entities, knowledge and commitment to truly contribute to the effort are the main requirements for membership. The Articles of Association will also set out a membership fee and other provisions that all members will be expected to follow. Membership is not necessary for individuals or organizations to participate in the wider forums that the association will convene.

12. How does a company benefit by joining Trust in Digital Life Consortium?

The Trust in Digital Life Consortium offers members an opportunity to proactively participate in shaping an evolving ecosystem in which people enjoy justified trust. The partnership gives participants a vehicle for developing a positive vision and speaking with one voice regarding trustworthy ICT-related products.

Formal membership of the Trust in Digital Life consortium provides parties with high value benefits:

• Actively contribute to the strategic research agenda, access to all information.
• Support continuation of the partnership after project period in 2012.
• Receive funds for the development of demonstrators on trustworthy ICT solutions and execution of detailed expert studies on Law, Market and Technology.
• Become member of management board and executive board
• Develop concrete public – private projects within framework programs.

13. Can I participate in TDL without becoming a member?

This is possible as long as the European commission financially support TDL and you must be prepared to exchange relevant knowledge. You must apply for an observer role and accept the policies and procedures.

14. Can I use all information of TDL without limitation?

All parties that participate in TDL have to accept the rules for using information. The principle is that parties are free to use the information that is shared between parties.

15. What type of parties are member of TDL?

Members of TDL are ICT industry parties; knowledge institutes; trade associations; law firms.

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