The first paragraph opens and ends, in this order, with
(Source:http://www.revasolutions.com/internet-of-things-newchallenges-and-practices-for-information-governance/. Retrieved on January 26th, 2018)
Governance Challenges for the Internet of Things
Virgilio A.F. Almeida -Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Danilo Doneda - Rio de Janeiro State University
Marília Monteiro - Public Law Institute of Brasília
Published by the IEEE Computer Society
© 2015
The future will be rich with sensors capable of collecting vast amounts of information. The Internet will be almost fused with the physical world as the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes a reality. Although it’s just beginning, experts estimate that by the end of 2015 there will be around 25 billion “things” connected to the global Internet. By 2025, the estimated number of connected devices should reach 100 billion. These estimates include smartphones, vehicles, appliances, and industrial equipment. Privacy, security, and safety fears grow as the IoT creates conditions for increasing surveillance by governments and corporations. So the question is: Will the IoT be good for the many, or the mighty few?
While technological aspects of the IoT have been extensively published in the technical literature, few studies have addressed the IoT’s social and political impacts. Two studies have shed light on challenges for the future with the IoT. In 2013, the European Commission (EC) published a study focusing on relevant aspects for possible IoT governance regimes. The EC report identified many challenges for IoT governance — namely privacy, security, ethics, and competition. In 2015, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published the FTC Staff Report The Internet of Things: Privacy and Security in a Connected World. Although the report emphasizes the various benefits that the IoT will bring to consumers and citizens, it acknowledges that there are many risks associated with deploying IoT-based applications, especially in the realm of privacy and security.
[…]
The nature of privacy and security problems frequently
associated with the IoT indicates that further research, analysis,
and discussion are needed to identify possible solutions. First, the
introduction of security and privacy elements in the very design
of sensors, implementing Privacy by Design, must be taken into
account for outcomes such as the homologation process of
sensors by competent authorities. Even if the privacy governance
of IoT can oversee the control centers for collected data, we must
develop concrete means to set limits on the amount or nature of
the personal data collected.
Other critical issues regard notification and consent. If, from one side, it’s true that several sensors are already collecting as much personal data as possible, something must be done to increase citizens’ awareness of these data collection processes. Citizens must have means to take measures to protect their rights whenever necessary. If future scenarios indicate the inadequacy of a mere notice-and-consent approach, alternatives must be presented so that the individual’s autonomy isn’t eroded.
As with other technologies that aim to change human life, the IoT must be in all respects designed with people as its central focus. Privacy and ethics aren’t natural aspects to be considered in technology’s agenda. However, these features are essential to build the necessary trust in an IoT ecosystem, making it compatible with human rights and ensuring that it’s drafted at the measure, and not at the expense, of people.
(Source: https://cyber.harvard.edu/~valmeida/pdf/IoT-governance.pdf
Retrieved on January 23rd, 2018)