RE: The Internet of Things ? What's that ? (A relative explanation)

Former Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 21:05:33 GMT

You almost got it right

A decision would have to be made as to how valuable the data about to be stored is and what it is intended to be used for.

except you need to think more along the lines of "how it will be used against you", the intended use is irrelevant, how it's actually used is the important thing

Ultimately though, it should provide the feedback that people are often too busy to provide in the form of surveys, interviews and accurate observations.

Often people don't provide this information because they, rightly, believe that it's none of anyones business.

IoT has all sorts of interesting potential, but the scope of the data that it can allow to be collected about you is vastly more than we've seen before. The current UK Data Protection act will likely be ineffective as it was never designed to deal with this sort of thing and the data will probably end up being stored in places without appropriate laws making enforcing it impossible. Eventually other laws will be passed, but until then and likely afterwards, you should assume that someone is abusing your data and that after it's been collected you have lost all control over it.

The real problems are simply down to people not being accustomed to all manner of random data being collected, cross referenced, and used for purposes they never intended or don't understand. It's also surprising just how quickly a set of seemingly innocuous data can become personally identifiable when cross referenced, it's not just down to names/addresses/dob.

Dab mentioned collection of mobile phone metrics, the simple fact that it's drawn negative attention should be a warning. We're not ready for this level of intrusion into our daily lives and we may never be willing to accept it.

RE: The Internet of Things ? What's that ? (A relative explanation)

DAB — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 19:25:22 GMT

It still comes down to the issue of what information you collect, from whom and how you plan to use the data.

Given the latest furor over the collection of phone call metrics, I find it interesting that everyone will be willing to have others know how they use all of the devices that they may have connected to the IoT.

I understand the potential benefits, but I can also envision how innocuous information can be used inappropriately.

So until I hear words like "consent" and "encryption" I would be very cautious about setting up any device for free IoT access.

I am just funny that way.

DAB