The influx of smart devices in homes come at a time where consumers are taking a harder look at privacy and security standards. The Next Web reports that Mozilla and ThingsCon have partnered to launch the Trustable Technology Mark to vet gadgets and offer transparency to a discerning public.
According to the outlet, neutral technology experts from ThingsCon evaluate these products using five criteria:
Privacy & Data Practices: Is it designed using state-of-the-art data practices, and respectful of user rights?
Transparency: Is it made clear to users what the device does and how data might be used?
Security: Is it designed and built using state-of-the-art security practices and safeguards?
Stability: How robust is the device and how long of a life cycle can a consumer reasonably expect?
Openness: How open are both the device and the manufacturer’s processes? Is open data used or generated?
Self-certification is also available to device manufacturers, whose self-assessments must pass muster among the greater IoT community.
Manufacturers who earn satisfactory marks in the assessment process can emblazon the Trusted Technology Mark on their marketing materials and packaging.
“IoT devices are only becoming more widespread and more advanced — they live in our kitchens and bedrooms, and they access our calendars and our conversations. As a result, consumers should have answers to important questions like What personal data does this product collect? How is that data stored? Who has access to that data? And can I easily export that data?”
Peter Bihr, ThingsCon co-founder and a Mozilla fellow, said in a statement: “IoT devices are only becoming more widespread and more advanced — they live in our kitchens and bedrooms, and they access our calendars and our conversations. As a result, consumers should have answers to important questions like What personal data does this product collect? How is that data stored? Who has access to that data? And can I easily export that data?”
So far, the Trusted Technology Mark designation has been granted to two products in two different categories: voice assistants and connected toys.
A lack of regulation surrounding IoT devices leaves homes particularly vulnerable to compromising attacks and breaches of privacy. With an estimated 8.4 billion IoT devices in circulation, according to The Next Web, curbing bad actors is a Herculean task.
By holding the industry to higher standards and helping consumers make more informed choices, the Trustable Technology Mark is a positive step towards ensuring privacy and security in IoT devices.
