FTC Staff Provides Response to NTIA Request for Comment on Internet of Things

Federal Trade Commission staff filed a comment with the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the agency’s request for comment on the benefits, challenges and role of government in fostering innovation for the rapidly growing number of devices connected to the Internet, often referred to as the Internet of Things.

In the comment, staff of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and Office of Policy Planning outlines the FTC’s extensive history of privacy & security enforcement cases, as well as the agency’s work in examining the growth and evolution of technology markets from a competition perspective. The comment discusses the benefits and risks of the Internet of Things based on FTC staff’s 2015 Internet of Things Report as well as numerous other Commission reports and workshops. In addition, the comment addresses a number of proposed best practices for businesses regarding the Internet of Things, providing recommendations regarding data security, data minimization, and how best to give consumers meaningful notice and choice about the collection and use of their data. The comment also addresses the role of government in enforcing consumer protections in the Internet of Things. The comment also addresses the potential impact on consumers and competition from creating standards that allow various Internet of Things devices to interact and work together. The Commission vote authorizing staff to file the comment was 3-0.