Internet of Things(IoT) and the dangers of IoT

what is Iot ? Iot refers to the connection of devices to the internet according to (https://www.businessinsider.com/internet-of-things-definition?IR=T). Examples would be cars, kitchen appliances, security systems,electronic appliances and lights in household and commercial environments can all be connected to the internet. An Internet Of Things device refers to any stand-alone internet-connected device that can be monitored and/or controlled from a remote location.

Internet of Things devices allows users to convert their homes and offices into smart homes and offices, meaning that they can control and monitor the lights to their kettle or refrigerator from a distance with another device. Examples of these devices are Amazon Echo which operates via voice control and users “talk” to the device to make it perform certain tasks like switching on the lights or play a certain song.

These technology allows users to add convenience to their daily lives but there is a threat to our privacy as well. As these devices are connected to the internet, large amounts of data can be collected about our daily lives. Information like the route we take to work everyday, what we watch on the television and when we watch, what is in our refrigerators and how often or the most common time in which we access the refrigerators and how often we exercise. These information can be collected via our smart phones, fitbits and other Internet Of Things devices. These information are usually collected so these devices can serve us better by understanding our daily routines but these information can be leaked or assessed illegally vial hacking (https://www.businessinsider.com/iot-security-privacy?IR=T).

Examples of how these information can be used against us are insurance companies might gather information from our fitbits on our exercise habits, refrigerators on our eating habits, GPS on our driving habits and creating a profile on us and charging us a higher premium based on the collected data.

How would u feel about having your data collected even if it meant that service providers or marketeers can serve u better by using the information to develop new or better versions of current products ? Or if your data has been accessed illegally by other firms and then targeting you with it ? Do let me know in the comments !