I found “The internet of things” to be much like buying the newest model of the Iphone as soon as it comes out. Is it cool? Yes! But is it worth as much as it costs?
To give you some background, the internet of things isn’t so much one specific product, but rather how a multitude of products are adapting to growing technology and connectivity. It’s the idea that all of the digital devices in your life can be connected and respond to one another to meet your preference. In an ideal world, the internet of things begins its work as soon as you wake up. Your alarm clock goes off, which opens the blinds and turns on the light. Downstairs, the coffee machine begins brewing, and the garage door opens up. The home security system deactivates, now that you’re awake enough to protect your home, and the downstairs heater kicks in. So while your neighbors are dragging themselves groggily towards the shower in the morning, the internet of things prepares your home for you.
Obviously, the convenience of the internet of things is resounding. It’s less work around the house, and makes ordinary routines so much easier. But, this gift does not come without cost. Yes, we have to talk about privacy, or rather, the illusion of it.
It’s inherent to our world now that where there is technology capable of connecting and interfacing with other technology, privacy seems to fade away. Much like Amazon, Facebook, or Google, devices have the ability to collect data on us. Data collected on us is then sold and shared between companies, and opening your home to more devices means opening your lives up to more companies. In Germany, a doll was banned by the government for supposedly collecting data of children and their parents. So prior to making your home “smart”, consider if a smart home is worth the endless stream of data you will be handing over in exchange.
Endless connectivity also poses an endless threat of being hacked. In 2014, a family woke up terrified in the middle of night to discover somebody had hacked their baby monitor, and was screaming profanities at their daughter. What possibly shocked them more is that the hacker addressed her by name. Opening your home to smart technology leaves the door unlocked for hackers with malicious intent. But it’s not up to me to make that decision for everybody. Whether or not the risk and data collection is worth it is a consideration everyone must process for themselves. We’d love to know your thoughts on it, so check out the poll below. Thank you!
In The Know 