The Internet of Things (IoT), is a big network of devices that can all talk to each other and share information. These include objects like a smart speaker that can answer your questions or a fitness tracker that can tell you how many steps you take each day. The things these devices can do are very helpful, but it's important for engineers to consider possible risks as well. Some of the most common risks of smart devices are listed below:
- Privacy – Some people are worried that all the devices we use might be able to learn too much about us. Just like you wouldn't want someone to read your diary without your permission, many people don't want devices to know what they do.
- Security – While just having a device know information about you could be bothersome, it can be an even bigger problem if people who shouldn't are able to get the information. If the designers of smart devices aren't careful, hackers might be able to steal information from those devices. Also, because smart devices are connected to other devices, poor security could mean that a hacker could get into your phone or computer! This would be like leaving a window or door unlocked so that people could break into your home.
- Human choices – Sometimes smart objects can make decisions without a person being involved at all. This can make things convenient, but it also means giving up control to machines. It is important to consider the correct balance between human choices and objects. For instance, who should be responsible for an accident caused by an automated car with no driver?
- Inequality – Another concern about smart devices is that they could make the gap between rich and poor people bigger. This is because some devices can be expensive, and people who can afford them may be able to make their lives easier, while people who can't afford them will have to do more to keep up.
Overall, the Internet of Things and smart devices have a lot of potential to be useful, but we also need to think carefully about them. Designers need to consider the possible risks of new devices to be sure they can be made safely.