Public confidence in Cybersystems: Issues and implications for sustainability

This article contends that achieving trust and confidence in Internet syste ms is dependent on enhancing public perceptions that those who develop and manage Internet technologies are honest, capable, competent, and accountabl e. Drawing upon recent studies of the Inter net and on decision-support tec hnologies, first outlined are the principal dimensions of trust and confide nce in Cybersystems, including the growing distance between citizens and te chnology institutions, the credibility of information disseminated by Cyber systems, and the potential risks attendant upon Cybersystem use. It is posi ted that trust and confidence are dependent on the ability of the Internet and other computer-based communication systems to satisfy salient user need s. Five needs are paramount: real time information availability; accurate a nd precise data and information; usability and usefulness of information pl atforms; eas-of-use of communication systems; and access and accountability to users of Internet developers and data providers.