ARM: We want to push data back into the hands of users

Nico energy monitor
It's gathering plenty of data, but who owns it?

The Internet of Things (IoT) - a concept based around embedding internet-connected sensors into everyday objects - could give way to some exciting tech in the future.

We're already seeing it worm its way into kettles, fridges and even doorbells, and according to a new report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) conducted on behalf of chip designer ARM, it's expected that 30 to 50 billion so-called "smart objects" will exist by 2020.

Commenting on the report, Ian Ferguson, VP of Segment Marketing at ARM, told TechRadar that the giddy numbers throw up serious questions around privacy and ownership of data.

He said: "We're already seeing connected things like Nike Fuelbands and wearable devices such as Google Glass and smartwatches. The question is - who owns the data? We're lobbying to push more control back onto the user so that they can control where that data is going, as opposed to it going straight up into the cloud."

Premium data

Ferguson points to UK car insurance company Drive Like A Girl, which lowers its customers' insurance premiums if they install an embedded device in their car that uploads driving patterns.

He said: "It's pretty clear that the company owns the data as it owns the device, and people are willing to trade their data for cost reductions. But what else could the company do with your data if they know how you're driving and when you're driving?

"There are still some interesting conversations yet to play out. What happens if it's data coming out of a heart rate monitor that's in somebody's body, for example? That should be the patient's data. They might want it to go to their physician and hospital, but not insurance people."

Customer service

According to ARM's report, IoT is expected to expected to have the biggest impact on customer service and products and services set to flood the market, which consumers may not be aware are based on embedded sensor technology.

Ferguson adds: "It's going to be a while before people really realise the implication of the networks around them. We'll see quicker deployment in the next few years, starting with tangible products that we'll see more of next year.

"I think it will be interesting to see its development in certain countries such as Germany where there are stricter rules around storing data. It might not develop in those places as quickly as others."

TOPICS
Kane Fulton
Kane has been fascinated by the endless possibilities of computers since first getting his hands on an Amiga 500+ back in 1991. These days he mostly lives in realm of VR, where he's working his way into the world Paddleball rankings in Rec Room.
Latest in Internet
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
tiktok
How to edit TikTok videos
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #1146)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #377)
 Facebook social media app logo on log-in, sign-up registration page
How to delete all your Facebook posts
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough