Civil Supplies Commissioner Akun Sabharwal has underlined the need for looking towards crucial issues of security, privacy and meaningful choice when dealing with ‘smart’ products like mobile phones.
Speaking at a workshop on ‘Trusted Smart Products’ organised by Civil Supplies department in connection with the World Consumer Day on Friday, he said smart products, with their ability to connect, share and interact with the users as well as other devices were instruments of change. There is, however, a need to look at security, privacy and other aspects along with the benefits they accrue.
It is the duty of the regulatory authorities to ensure that emergence of smart technology bring along with it opportunities to people with access to new services, more responsive products, greater convenience and choice, he added.
Mr. Sabharwal said there is scope for significant data privacy risk as the devices are able to communicate with each other and transfer data automatically to third parties. Though the data might be harmless in individual formats, it could reveal an accurate knowledge about an individual resulting in increased traceability once collected or collated. Coupled with this is the lack of transparency that could create fear in the minds of consumers.