By all indications, the Internet of Things (IoT) – a world where everyday devices, machines, and appliances collect and transmit data about their use and surroundings – is well on its way to becoming a reality.
Ubiquitous broadband access, advances in computing, and cheap sensors allow for everything from cars to kitchen gadgets to eyeglasses to deliver information to us, and to collect data from us. Industry experts estimate that 50 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2020.
In recent years, consumers have become wise to the privacy practices of popular Internet companies. Informed by revelations of mass surveillance and reports of everything from covert location tracking to the unconsented sale of personal information, consumers today are wary of efforts to capitalize on personal data, scrutinize privacy practices and expect transparency reports. Yet, even as consumer privacy awareness is at an all-time high for websites and apps, the privacy issues are only beginning to come into focus for the IoT.
Companies and regulators have the responsibility to create and communicate new privacy practices to consumers in this new world. Read more: https://www.aclunc.org/blog/smart-devices-make-everything-easier-spying-users
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