The government can use your smart devices to spy on you

IoT, or Internet of Things is the upcoming technology where many or all devices that are electronic, can communicate with each other and make life simpler for humans and themselves. Physical objects and devices, such as gadgets, home appliances, vehicles, buildings, and many more, operate on complex electronics. Each of these can actually be connected to a network, be it the local hotspot or the internet at large. When connected, they can update themselves with the information they need from its electronic connected environment. Each of these devices, if connected to the internet, can also talk to other devices outside its network, for various reasons. For example, your refrigerator can shop for food items that are exhausted, or your washing machine or air conditioner can be switched on or off from your smartphone when you are away. Similarly, these IoT devices can be controlled from another source from across the internet.

However, as devices are evolving to be smarter, they can also be a threat. Each of these devices can be controlled from the internet, and if you are unlucky, a hacker can be the man in the middle to take over without your knowledge. So now imagine your smart television being hacked to listen in to all your television habits, or your smartphone’s or laptop’s speaker or camera streaming something unknowingly to someone. Scary, isn’t it?

According to arstechnica, James Clapper, the US director for national intelligence, told the lawmakers that governments across the globe are likely to employ the IoT as a spy tool. This can add to global instability that is already caused by infectious diseases, hunger, climate changes and AI.  

‘Clapper addressed two different committees on Tuesday—the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Committee—and for the first time suggested that the Internet of Things could be weaponised by governments’, mentions arstechnica. There were no countries or agencies named, but according to a recent study done by Havard, US authorities are claimed to be harvesting the IoT for spying.

In his testimony, Clapper claims that smart devices incorporated into the electric grid, in smart vehicles, household appliances and alike, are improving efficiency and convenience apart from saving on energy. However, these devices threaten to compromise on privacy. These devices can be used to tap into locations, voice, video, identification theft, and many other areas where privacy and sensitive data is concerned.

He goes ahead to mention that the IoT innovation will have a significant impact on our everyday life. Thouh this will be an economic prosperity, it will bring about its own set of vulnerabilities. Tens and billions of devices could be exploited and this could be catastrophic. According to arstechnica, the information coming out from the nations’ top spy chief means that there is already a possibility of US spy agents trying to exploit the same.   

The vulnerability in IoT could make it easy for hackers to prey on public privacy and security, and for governments to spy on public. Will IoT be secure enough? Should this technology be kept back in the freezer?