Makers of Internet-connected devices are still not being up front enough with buyers about the amount and handling of personal data being collected, says a report issued Thursday by privacy commissioners from 25 countries including Canada.
“Overall there was significant room for improvement with respect to the privacy communications of the Internet-connected devices swept,” Canadian privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien said in a release.
“With the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the activities, movements, behaviours and preferences of individuals are being measured, recorded and analyzed on an increasingly regular basis. As this technology expands, it is imperative that companies do a better job of explaining their personal information handling practices.”
Researchers found 59 per cent of the devices looked at didn’t adequately explain how personal information is collected, used and disclosed.
The report is the fourth annual Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) Privacy Sweep, which took place April 11-15 and looked at the privacy communications and practices of 314 Internet connected devices. It focused largely on how manufacturers communicate their personal information handling practices.
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Sponsor: Acquia
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