(Opinion) The Internet of Evil Things and the cost of convenience
A great deal of the most hyped consumer electronics these days have to do with the Internet of Things (IOT), which is basically a fancy way to refer to the myriad ways we use "smart" devices to automate processes that are ordinarily inconvenient or dull along with allowing us to carry out these tasks remotely. Many smart products center on convenience/security, like using your connected home hub to control IP cams and your A/C, and the "quantified self," in which applications mine data to help you optimize a specific aspect of your life- be it commute time, diet, or productivity. Since a great deal of IOT devices have to be queried and operated remotely, security is paramount. Since many non-enterprise consumers don't necessarily have the resources or tech savviness to secure their own devices, it's very worrying. After all, many of these products deal with intensely personal information that can be used to determine anything from when you are normally away from home to who you interact with regularly.
Along with individual-level harm, IOT devices remain the vector of choice for running large-scale DDOS operations. Because companies are rushing largely unfinished products to market so they can cash in on the hype, both we and our infrastructure are gravely threatened- a great number of these products send out login creds and other equally sensitive data in plaintext. Surprisingly few laws exist to hold corporations accountable for insecure devices- at best, hardware not intended for government use just has recommendations issued by the American FCC or an equivalent. With the trend of using software exploits for disruption and destruction along with the standard exfiltration and spying, the dangers of being hacked go far beyond the still-terrifying prospects of blackmail or identity theft, especially as these devices are increasingly integrated into our homes, automobiles, and national infrastructure.
As long as manufacturers cut corners and (sometimes intentionally) deny end-users the ability to protect themselves from threats by state and nonstate actors, the convenience is by no means worth the risk.
I understand your concern, but we are in a difficult and transitional time where humanity is going to have to figure out how to reconcile privacy with convenience in a meaningful and actionable way. We must take the time to weigh our options, and also be open minded.
I believe Blockchain tech can help with certain aspects (money/value, smart contracts, etc...), but some areas will have to be left to the opinions of the masses, and only time will tell us what we hold in highest regard.
I personally like my privacy, but I can still understand that as time moves on, privacy will become increasingly rare, and maybe that's ok. Maybe in order for us as a species to progress further, we need more transparency.
"when you are normally away from home to who you interact with regularly."
Didn't we already do this with social media? While my thermostat does sense if I'm not home, it's likely less of an indicator than social accounts where you could find that I might be on vacation. I think the larger issue with a lot of these IOT devices is they just aren't very good, whether it's the interface you use to interact with them or the products themselves, they tend to be serious lacking.
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