(IoT) and the Concept of Privacy

It is not easy to have a definition of privacy. The borders of it are not specified, and what constitutes a privacy violation?. It differs between countries and cultures, and in general, it varies between people’s personalities and individuals based on their occupation and position. Besides, defining privacy is getting more complicated within the advanced technology.

Data protection is wider than privacy itself, and the reason is that data protection is related to other rights that need to be protected such as freedom of speech, thoughts, and religion. Although data protection is wider, it is more specific because it is only applied in situations when personal data is processed.

As the technology is developing, people are more concern about their privacy. However, these concerns are not stopping or delaying technology usage.

IoT technologies are one of the major concerns, especially if it is wearable. People worry about these devices to be stolen, lost or to be in someone’s hand. Technology these days is in every aspect of our lives. Getting users data exposed means that health, work and personal data can be used in a way that may harm them, which is happening all the time.

Although developers are trying hard to maintain privacy, it is nearly impossible for consumers to read privacy policies, particularly when many of these devices are too small to be able to show them.

One of the important keys to practice a wise use of technology is to get some rules and restrictions in certain places. For example, wearables might be prohibited in bathrooms or locker rooms. These restrictions may not solve privacy violations, but it could limit them.

References:

Klitou, D. (2014). Privacy-Invading Technologies and Privacy by Design. 1st ed. T.M.C. Asser Press.

Technology and privacy. (2013). Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 26(1-2).

Thierer, A. (2015). The Internet of Things & Wearable Technology: Addressing Privacy & Security Concerns Without Derailing Innovation. SSRN Electronic Journal, 21(2).