Digital TV is Open for secure transactions

NEWS Open Interactive allows secure transactions between digital set-top boxes and content providers, such as an advertiser or broadcaster. The system uses Bluetooth technology to communicate remotely with the set-top box. Baltimore also announced a wireless Public Key Infrastructure called Telepathy. Running on the Palm OS it will enable secure transactions on PDAs, based on digital signatures. Speaking to silicon.com, Fran Rooney, the CEO of Baltimore Technologies said: "Transactions, such as banking and ecommerce will increasingly take place over mobile devices. The current technologies such as WAP and Bluetooth may well be immature for full deployment right now, but this is only an interim stage." Rooney believes his company's security measures are a necessary addition to the range of interactive TV technology and one that will prompt growth. He said: "Interactive TV will be the next application for homes, but end users need assurance that it is secure before it will take off."