The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chairwoman has urged technology firms to work hard to secure consumers’ data privacy and security.
Speaking at the CES 2015 event, FTC chairwoman Edith Ramirez noted that the US agency had been exploring the emerging ‘internet of things’ (IoT) industry.
She commented that the IoT could effortlessly develop a ‘deeply personal and startlingly complete picture’ of an individual’s life.
"These potential benefits are immense, but so too are the potential risks. We have an important opportunity right now to ensure that new technologies with the potential to provide enormous benefits develop in a way that is also protective of consumer privacy."
She continued: "I question the notion that we must put sensitive consumer data at risk on the off-chance a company might someday discover a valuable use for the information.
"I agree that we need more dialogue on acceptable and unacceptable uses of consumer data. But I continue to believe that reasonable limits on data collection and retention are a necessary first line of protection for consumers."
At CES 2015, firms ranging from Samsung to Lenovo in addition to major car manufacturers and a group of start-ups have rolled out sensor based new products that are capable of measuring users’ heartrate, as well as enabling the remote control of houses and cars.
