Push for online ID gathers pace

The Obama Government hopes to hold a series of workshops this year with companies and advocacy groups, paving the way for internet IDs in the US.

With administration officials stressing the move would be led by the private sector and not required for online, US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has argued there is “no reliable way to verify identity online”.

“Passwords just won’t cut it there,” Locke is quoted saying by ZDNet.com.

But privacy concerns remain, as do long memories about Obama’s pre-election promise to not introduce a real ID program.