Abstract

The ‘Internet of Things’ will soon become an integral element of how democratic societies function, as more smart/connected and automated devices become part of our daily lives. The systematic communication, and thereby monitoring, of our cars, work environment, home and physical activities are likely to deliver a number of societal benefits, including the enhanced road safety of self-driving cars by reducing the risks posed by human drivers.

However, there are a number of privacy and security risks that are likely to arise for citizens as they place increasing trust in and reliance on devices that are underpinned by the Internet of Things, such as self-driving cars. As highlighted by data protection authorities across the EU in 2014 (Article 29 Working Party), many questions arise around the vulnerability of these devices, which are often deployed outside a traditional IT structure and lacking sufficient security built into them. Furthermore, the Working Party warns of the increased risk of data losses, infection by malware and unauthorised access to personal data and the potential disproportionate use by public authorities or the private sector of personal data generated by the self-driving car user.

Engaging with the issues and challenges posed by this burgeoning subset of the Internet of Things for the data privacy and cyber security of citizens in democratic societies, the Technology and Democracy Project brings together speaker Dr Florent Frederix (Principal administrator of the Trust and Security Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology) and Lecturer in Law and the Open Society, Dr David Erdos (Faculty of Law, Cambridge), the seminar’s discussant and chair.