Do You Have Concerns About The Internet Of Things? The European Union Wants To Hear From You!
We have reported earlier about the Internet of Things (IOT), where it is envisioned that in 2050, there will be 50 billion devices communicating with each other. Even today we have about 5 billion objects like garage doors, smart thermostats, car electronics, and even coffee machines which can be operated through the internet.
Europe expects to take a fair share of that emerging market and wants to address the possible concerns before it’s too late. What happens to your privacy when your clothes can tell their whereabouts? Is it ethically acceptable when your grandmother’s pillbox sends a warning message to you and then, in the eventuality that you don’t respond, alerts the local emergency center? How safe is it when you completely depend on technology and your smart car causes an accident? And what about the responsibility for all these smart gadgets?
The economic potential of this new market is huge, but these questions need to be addressed before it becomes a reality. Would it not be ideal if the European market could create a level playing field in advance, where all manufacturers and importers have to abide by the same regulations with regards to privacy, ethics and safety?
Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, says: “An Internet of Things with intelligence embedded into everyday objects is the next big thing. I want to promote an Internet of Things that serves our economic and societal goals, whilst preserving security, privacy and the respect of ethical values.”
There is the worry that even before we have developed a framework, the market will have created its own reality. An ecosystem where customers are already locked into proprietary systems without any way to control their own data. Shouldn’t you have open standards and options to move your own data if you want to change supplier?
The European Union deems it important to address these questions before it’s too late. There is a serious risk that in the early days of this new technology people can lose control over their own life and data. In addition, to develop a healthy consumer market for the Internet of Things, it is crucial that this new market is socially accepted by these very consumers. When the first horror stories about smart blood-pressure monitors communicating with insurance companies leak, it will create a huge backlash killing the economic potential.
Historically, new technology has always preceded discussions about ethics, safety and privacy, but the European Commission wants to change that. They want to hear from all involved parties and how they feel about these issues.
To get insight into people’s thoughts, there is a consultation round where consumers are invited to participate. The results of the consultation will feed into the Commission’s Recommendation on the IOT, which will be presented by summer 2013.
Have your say and head over to the questionnaire at http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=IoTGovernance
Author: Max Huijgen
Further reading: our article about IOT https://plus.google.com/u/0/118292867302583509179/posts/JuV6BD76yYn