We as online consumers want a measure of security and protection. You'd think, anyways. But let's be clear about this from the start. The standards have nothing in particular to do with what online consumers want or expect in the way of security and protection. For one thing, consumers have no say in the content of the standards.
Voting is restricted to a clique of founding members .
The list of founding members makes fascinating reading. We see presidents and CEOs of such august institutions as Macy's, the Wall Street Journal, Barnes and Noble, Charles Schwab, and more. There is a sprinkling of university professors and consultants. More interesting, however, is the list of companies and institutions which are not represented. Conspicuous by their absence are the heavy-hitters on the World Wide Web.