Garlik, an online data management venture set up by founders of Internet bank Egg, has launched DataPatrol, a service built for consumers to track their personal data across the Internet, public records and commercial databases.
Garlik says the DataPatrol service is designed specifically to counter a new wave of ID theft, driven by criminals who exploit the wealth of personal information available online to manufacture identities illegally.
DataPatrol uses semantic Web technology to help consumers track personal data across the Internet, key public records and commercial databases. Users receive a monthly report detailing what information appears and how vulnerable they are to ID theft.
Mike Harris, chairman, Garlik, says the Internet has become a rich source of information about people and this is beginning to be exploited by fraudsters.
"Our priority has been to develop a service to combat the new wave of cyber crime which uses the Internet to capture and take over people's identities," says Harris. "As the Web continues to develop, Garlik will also evolve, providing new services to help the consumer take control of their information."
Tom Ilube and Mike Harris
Garlik has been set up Harris - who co-founded Egg and First Direct - along with former Egg CIO Tom Ilube.
The founding team also includes CTO Nigel Shadbolt and special advisor Wendy Hall, who are both professors at the University of Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science.