Stories of the Month - September 2007

Futuristic technologies and data security really grabbed the attention of readers in September, and interviews with several significant UK tech decision-makers also got people clicking.

News that a successful pilot of lie detector voice recognition technology is being used to combat benefit fraud by Harrow Council in Greater London, was an example of innovative use of tech to tackle a common problem.

So far, the council has saved £110,000 by catching out benefit cheats and it is possible the tech could be rolled out to other local authorities next year.

Another futuristic technology taking off is contactless payments, which received a boost this month with Mastercard and Maestro launching 'tap and go' payment cards in London.

But still, despite such innovations there is still room for improvement - it seems the lack of tech skills in Europe is slowing down the implementation of new projects according to the European Commission.

Stories of the month - September 2007

Click on the links below to read the stories everyone is talking about...

Techie shortage costing us billions, says Europe

Lie detector beats benefit fraud

Interview: Tesco CIO Colin Cobain

Psst! Don't want Vista? You're not alone…

'Tap and go' plastic arrives in London

Desktop PC 'not dead - but changing'

BBC iPlayer row: The government speaks

Privacy watchdog clamps down on DVLA data sharing

Data breach laws 'make companies serious about security'

Exclusive: AA terminates £50m IBM deal

The Commission warned that 40 per cent of European citizens suffer from "digital illiteracy" and Europe is missing out on billions of Euros in investment as a result.

Meanwhile, silicon.com's community editor Andy McCue interviewed the IT director of the Tesco Group, Colin Cobain, who discussed how tech is supporting the supermarket's ambitious expansion plans.

Cobain, who scooped CIO of the Year at the CNET Networks UK Business Awards shortly after the interview, also chatted about green IT and the challenges of using RFID.

Another big hitter was the exclusive story that the AA will end its £50m outsourcing deal with IBM three-and-a-half years early, as a result of its merger with Saga.

In an interview, AA IT director Trevor Didcock also revealed he would be leaving the newly merged group.

The issue of data protection remained a hot topic this month with a piece showing how the California data breach law is having a big impact on how seriously organisations take the issue.

According to those who created the legislation, the laws also mean consumers have better tools to protect themselves against fraud.

In other data security news, the Information Commissioner's Office issuing guidance on how the personal data of motorists can be used by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The guidelines explained that the DVLA can pass on personal details without the permission of registered vehicle keepers to a third party if there is "reasonable cause".

There was more speculation this month that Microsoft is struggling to convince businesses about its Vista operating system, with news that the company is now allowing PC makers to offer a "downgrade" option for buyers preferring to use XP.

And finally, the controversy around the BBC iPlayer was again in the news this month with the government responding to an e-petition on the 10 Downing Street website, signed by more than 16,000 people.