The FCC's Cyber Trust Mark program — which does not have an official launch date yet — is intended to protect personal smart devices and has commitments from Amazon, Best Buy and Google.
Not included in the program, as it now stands, are smartphones, personal computers, routers and certain internet-connected medical devices, such as smart thermometers and CPAP machines, which are protected by Federal Drug Administration regulations. Also excluded are motor vehicles and the data stored in them, which are overseen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and where data privacy concerns have been rising.
Despite the administration's best intentions, however, consumers shouldn't expect to see products bearing the symbol until early next year, at the soonest. In an email asking about the timeline for the launch, an FCC spokesperson did not provide any specific dates. Many of those devices, as well as the Wi-Fi networks and routers that connect them, lack adequate security safeguards. A 2023by research firm Park Associates found that nearly 75% of U.S. households with internet service were concerned about the security of their personal data, while 54% reported experiencing a data privacy or security issue in the past 12 months, an increase of 50% over five years.
"It is incredibly important to make a consumer-legible standard for IoT devices, because right now it is totally a Wild West," said Stacey Higginbotham, a cybersecurity expert and writer for Consumer Reports. "Consumers really care about having this kind of information, so that's why we need the program."
Technology Technology Latest News, Technology Technology Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: PhoneArena - 🏆 322. / 59 Read more »
Source: PhoneArena - 🏆 322. / 59 Read more »
Source: WIRED - 🏆 555. / 51 Read more »