ICO Issues Guidelines on Smart Tech Data Collection

UK privacy regulator the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued guidance on responsible collection and use of personal information, for developers and manufacturers of smart home products such as smart speakers, fitness trackers or Wi-Fi fridges.

The ICO says research shows that four in five Brits own at least one.such device, but in a series of workshops it conducted last year shared concerns that products collect too much personal information, and that they feel powerless to control how their data is used and shared.

The new guidance says companies must ensure they are transparent with people about how their personal information is being used; should only collect necessary information; and should help people to exercise their rights, for example by making it easy to delete their data from the product.

Stephen Almond, Executive Director for Regulatory Risk at the ICO, comments: 'In our increasingly connected world, we shouldn't have to choose between enjoying the benefits of smart products and our own privacy. We rightly have a greater expectation of privacy in our own homes, so we must be able to trust smart products are respecting our privacy, using our personal information responsibly and only in ways we would expect.' He adds: 'We want to help organisations get this right from the start - but we are ready to take action if necessary to protect people from harm.'

ICO advice for consumers includes making sure privacy concerns / levels are one of the considerations in comparing providers of such products; checking permissions when setting up the product; setting up a strong password and considering two-step verification; keeping up with security updates; and removing data when it is no longer needed.

Consumers can complain or report concerns via www.ico.org.uk/concerns or pressoffice@ico.org.uk .