Emerging roles for third parties in cyberspace

Abstract

In `real' space, third parties have always been useful to facilitate transactions. With cyberspace opening up, it is to be expected that intermediation will also develop in a virtual fashion. The article focuses upon new cyberroles for third parties that seem to announce themselves clearly. First, virtualization of the market place has paved the way for `cybermediaries', who broker between supply and demand of material and informational goods. Secondly, cybercommunication has created new uncertainties concerning informational security and privacy. Also, as in real space, transacting supposes some decency with one's partners. These needs are being addressed by Trusted Third Parties, anonymizers, escrow arrangements, facilitators and external auditing. Virtual reputation tracking mechanisms are being developed as well. Finally, in order to resolve disputes, mediators and arbitrators have started offering their services online. In the closing section these emerging cyberroles are assessed critically. It is argued in particular, that both cybermediaries and cyberjustice pose serious threats to privacy. Moreover, online dispute resolution, as it is practised now, neglects its duties of public accounting.