Once a month. Take the Challenge.
Each month we feature one (or more) technology(ies) with potential legal implications and ask:
What’s YOUR answer?
One $25 Starbucks gift card card awarded per challenge based on what we feel is the most judicious response to the highlighted technology(ies), below.
Deadline to be eligible for this month’s Starbucks gift card is March 1, 2015.
The Internet of Things to come: “[y]our bed knows when you wake up. It tells the radio to switch on so you can listen to the traffic and weather report or music it knows you enjoy. It tells the coffee machine to make a fresh pot. When you prepare for the day, your toothbrush notifies you that it’s time to see the dentist and it schedules an appointment based on your availability. Your shower adjusts its temperature based on your preference and when you go to the bathroom mirror, it reminds you to take your vitamins. As you get dressed, your closet mirror helps you choose an outfit based on the weather and what activities you have planned. As you leave the house, a display on the way lets you know you forgot your wallet.” Once you have retrieved your wallet, your automated car drives you to work.
Sounds great, right? In some ways, yes but in others maybe not so much. Aside from human psychosocial issues that will certainly develop through use and quasi-complete dependency on smart technology, think about all the vulnerable personal data our smart devices will collect, ripe for the taking. These devices will no doubt be interlinked and under surveillance. Further, as is already the case, our smart things will certainly be programmed with protection measures to stop us from using them a certain way to avoid catastrophes or stop us from engaging in illegal or other unacceptable behaviors. We will not have the control we think we have. Our smart technology may also malfunction. Legal issues stemming from the Internet of Things abound — what are some you foresee? Read more here.