Protection of personal privacy under the development of the Internet of Things

Abstract

While the “Thing” under the term “Internet of Things” is referred to “any physical entity capable of connectivity that directly interfaces the physical world, such as embedded devices, sensors and actuators,” these connections to the physical world would involve to certain elements od personal privacy. Furthermore, IoT operations have direct and important connections to the geographical location of individuals, under the assistance of the borderless Internet these privacy issues would shift to international level. Although IoT transforms business and enables individuals to complete the task of objects assignation in geographical means via Internet service, personal information is also leaked to public. With regard of the privacy safeguard between different countries, the data flows of personal data in IOT would be a critical issue to international trade. Therefore, both World Trade Organization and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development have demonstrated an increasing enthusiasm for engaging in dialogue and processes to assist trustworthy cross-border data flows. This article will present the issues and possible solutions to the topic. The first part would provide security and privacy risks regarding IoT applications. In the second part, the discussion of risks shifts to cross-border data flows. The second part will cite several controlling methods and safeguards of the governing bodies, including countries and unions provisions of controlling. Then, the article will illustrate the GDPR experience about cross-border data flows. The fourth part will provide the differences of countries’ culture, religious, social environments, and levels of national security that existed the gaps of cross-border data flows. As in the conclusion addresses that international cooperation of promoting trusted cross-border data flows towards designing a conducive policy environment is required.