According to the EU Commission, the ‘Internet of Things’ or IoT will bring a future in which everyday objects such as phones, cars, household appliances, clothes and even food are wirelessly connected to the Internet through smart chips, and can collect and share data. The Commission wants to know what framework is needed to unleash the potential economic and societal benefits of the IoT, whilst ensuring an adequate level of control of the devices gathering, processing and storing information. The information concerned includes users’ behavioural patterns, location and preferences. The Commission wants to ensure that the rights of individuals are respected and launched a public consultation on 12 April, inviting comments by 12 July 2012.
While the Commission claims that an average person currently has at least two objects connected to the Internet, this is expected to grow to 7 by 2015 with 25 billion wirelessly connected devices globally. By 2020 that number could double to 50 billion. The Commission sees a future in which many everyday things are linked. For example, if a university teacher cancels a morning lecture because they are sick, students’ alarm clocks and coffee machines could automatically be reset, giving them an extra hour in bed. If an elderly person forgets to take an essential pill, a warning text message could be sent to a close family member, or even to a local emergency centre, so that somebody could call round to check that everything was ok.
Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, said: ‘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.’
According to the Commission, realising the enormous economic and societal potential of the IoT requires a level playing field where all players can compete on an equal footing, without gate keepers (other than the Commission, presumably: Ed) and locked-in users. Its societal acceptance requires the definition of an ethical and legal framework, supported by technology and providing people with control and security. Through the consultation, the Commission is seeking views on privacy, safety and security, security of critical IoT supported infrastructure, ethics, interoperability, governance and standards. The results of the consultation will feed into the Commission’s Recommendation on the IoT, which will be presented by summer 2013. Boosting the IoT is a priority for the Digital Agenda for Europe (see IP/10/581, MEMO/10/199 and MEMO/10/200).
