The Internet of Things (IoT) : Legal, Social
and Ethical Issues

Contents
● Legal Issues
● Social Issues
● Ethical Issues
● Solution

Legal Issues
As with numerous new technologies, there are various legal issues raised by IoT.

Some of the legal issues raised by internet of things:-
1. Data protection and Data privacy
2. Cybersecurity
3. Copyright
4. Liability

Data Protection and Privacy
Every device that is associated with internet can be hacked and the potential for a data security
breach is high.
General lack of security protocols make these devices more vulnerable. For Example,
transmitting data over unencrypted network and using simple passwords.

Cybersecurity
Cybercriminals usually have their eyes on large computer networks and payment collection systems.
Anytime you connect something to the Internet, you open it up to an attack.
◦ Hacking
◦ Vulnerability to being redeployed for other purposes
◦ In October 2016, a massive cyber attack took down popular websites such as Netflix, Twitter, and Spotify..
Instead of using standard computers to generate the massive traffic needed to take down a website, this
attack used malware called Mirai to harness the computing power of the “Internet of Things” or IoT, which is
made up of millions of Internet-connected devices such as DVRs, webcams, and printers.
Mirai IoT Botnet can be used to launch DDoS attacks, install additional malware, or spread the infection
through more network.

Liability
Who pays when things go wrong?
Who is liable if the sensors or communications malfunction and transmit wrong information?
Imagine if your car could be effectively hijacked through the software it operates with. Imagine if
it could change your destination, your speed and direction, or if it simply locked you out of your
own vehicle.
What happens if the car causes an accident? Who takes responsibility for this?

Copyright
In order for two machines to communicate, they need to reproduce, distribute and exchange
code with each other.
Will the owner of that code prevent the interaction from taking place? Can other devices access
each other?
If companies decide to keep IoT devices from communicating with each other, it will provide
users with a diminished experience.

Social Issues
Social issues can be defined as problems or matters, which affect a person, group of persons or
an entire society, either directly or indirectly.

Global Warming
Getting to an end game of billions of sensors would not only be bad for the environment, but its
culmination could result in running out of power for other things
Our internet-connected devices could be impeding climate change efforts
disrupt progress toward climate change goals
As reported by Climate Home News, the billions of devices many of us use every day could
produce 3.5 percent of global emissions within 10 years and 14 percent by 2040.

As reported by Climate Home News, the billions of devices many of us use every day could produce
3.5 percent of global emissions within 10 years and 14 percent by 2040.

Impact on Home / Crime
But if your device becomes part of an attack on a hospital or a power grid, lives could be lost.
criminal can take control of your device, they could also steal youYou don’t want to make it easy
for cyber criminals to do harm. Second, by using your device for their purposes, the criminals are
stealing your Internet bandwidth and computing power. Third, if a r personal information.

Ethical Issues
o A problem or situation that requires a person or organization to choose between alternatives
that must be evaluated as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical).
oMost of the ethical debates are about, property rights, accessibility, private use of information.

FitBit shared their customers’ fitness information with their business partners.
Advertisement emails, phone calls, and ad notices on the phone were interrupting the
customers
We’ve already seen Cyber Criminals at work around the world hacking connected locks and
alarm systems and blackmailing or stalking ordinary people with home security camera footage
captured without their knowledge.

Solution
• Government regulations of IoT
The influence of governments and their respective regulatory bodies can help ensure a culture
of security when it comes to IoT systems.
• When making decisions, follow the ethics code
• Always think about the customers’ benefit
• Improve IoT security
• Customer awareness

Thank You!