EU funds project to pioneer privacy and identity management solutions in Web 2.0

The IBM Zurich Research Lab reports that the EU is funding a project, PrimeLife, to pioneer privacy and identity management solutions in Web 2.0. In particular I'm taken by the short-term aim of providing "scalable and configurable privacy and identity management in new and emerging Internet services and applications". Moreover, the longer-term goal is to protect the privacy of individuals throughout their entire life span. This is interesting given the range of virtual footprints and digital interactions that we leave and the storage capabilities and possible re-use of technological advancements - witness recent discussions about Phorm. The implications of linkages and build ups of digital traces have implications for our privacy, for marketing to us and of us, for our IPR and copyright, and for surveillance of us.