FTC chair warns smart tech builds a 'startlingly complete picture' of users
The head of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning that the “data trove” acquired by smart technology could piece together a “deeply personal” profile of users.
Edith Ramirez, chair of the FTC issues IoT warning
Speaking at CES in Las Vegas, Edith Ramirez, the chair of the US FTC, questioned the data collection that drives the internet of things and smart technology, warning that information retrieved from such devices could create of complete profile of their users.
According to the New York Times, Ramirez said: “In the not-too-distant future, many, if not most, aspects of our everyday lives will be digitally observed and stored, will this information be used to paint a picture of you that you won't see but that others will?
“That data trove will contain a wealth of revealing information that, when patched together, will present a deeply personal and startlingly complete picture of each of us.”
She concluded: “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.”
CES 2015 has witnessed the unveiling of disruptive technology including Audi's driverless A7 and Alcatel’s OneTouch Watch. The FTC will release a report on such products' data usage and cyber-security in the coming weeks.