Brussels, 12/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 12 April, the European Commission launched a public consultation inviting citizens to give their opinions on how the framework for the “Internet of Things” (IoT) should be developed. This constitutes one of the priorities in the Digital Agenda. The IoT will enable everyday objects such as phones, cars, household appliances, clothes and even food to be wirelessly connected to the internet through smart chips, and will enable data to be collected and shared. This is innovative technology and it raises a number of questions with regard to respect for private life and individual rights, which the Commission wants to see guaranteed. Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner 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.” 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.
Today, an average person has at least 2 objects connected to the internet and 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. This means a possible future in which many everyday things are linked. 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 gatekeepers 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, explained the Commission. The consultation will be closed on 12 July and will be looking at 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. The Commission published a Communication on the IoT in 2009, which identified 14 lines of action for enabling Europe to design IoT technologies and systems compatible with its core values, such as the protection of privacy and personal data. (IL/transl.fl)