We live in a world of the Internet of Things (IoT), surrounded by cameras, microphones, and sensors. There is a “smart” version of nearly anything you can think of, from cars, to thermostats, to doorbells, to dishwashers. What are the privacy implications of these devices, and have they (or will they) effectively “kill” privacy?
IoT devices do present challenges for companies when it comes to traditional privacy practices. Traditionally, the consumer consents to a company’s privacy policy by checking a box or clicking a button on a screen before being allowed to access or use the company’s product. But many IoT devices have no screen or direct user interface. And while many IoT devices must be paired with an app on a mobile device, displaying the lengthy privacy policies of the past on these smaller screens can be difficult. These difficulties have led to the increased use of layered privacy policies, which provide a summary of key points at the top level, with more detailed information available as the consumer drills down.
