Protecting privacy and promoting inclusion with the 'Internet of Things'

[Commentary] In comments we filed recently for input into a new Department of Commerce green paper on shaping the future of the Internet of Things, we discussed ways IoT technologies are improving the day-to-day quality of life for people with low income, people with disabilities and traditionally underserved populations, among others. For example:

The OrCam is a wearable video camera that is designed for the visually impaired, translating text to audio in real time
The Dot, the world's first braille smartwatch, features a series of dull pins that rise and fall at customizable speeds and allows users to read text messages and e-books
The Ring, a connected doorbell and home security solution, alerts users to motion as soon as it is detected, so they can remotely monitor their door
Some airports, like the Miami International Airport, have rolled out programs that use beacons to help users find the correct gate and send push notifications for restaurant and store deals when travelers are walking around
M2M technology, integrated with new payment platforms, is expanding access to credit by enabling two new payment methods: pay-as-you-go (PAYG) asset financing, which allows consumers to pay for products over time, and prepaid, where consumers pay for services on an as-needed basis.

It is important that we do not lose sight of the broad hope that IoT technology will not simply be more gadgets for the affluent, but also a platform for improving quality of life for the traditionally underserved. As government policymakers and regulators examine, understand and embrace emerging IoT technologies, they must encourage strategies that benefit everyone, while at the same time apply commonsense privacy protections that build trust in IoT technologies to help ensure that consumers enjoy the full benefits of IoT sensors and devices.

[Polonetsky is CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that seeks to advance responsible data practices.]