To what extent does technological development offer new opportunities in areas such as the economy, management and business relationships?
The Issue – How do smart technologies create or alter risks in the home
Smart homes may sound exciting with new technologies enabling devices that can cover everything from automated climate and lighting to virtual assistants, fridges that restock themselves and access controlled remotely via an app. But smart homes may also create new risks alongside the benefits they bring.
Continue reading How much of a risk are we taking with smart homes?The Issue – Thousands of popular websites covertly harvest personal information typed into forms without users’ consent
When you’re filling in a form on a website, it may seem logical that what you’ve filled will only be processed once you hit the ‘submit’ button. However, the reality is that many popular websites contain scripts from third-party advertising, analytics and tracking firms which covertly collect the data that users type into online forms – even if this information is never formally submitted or you un-subscribe. This data is then monetised for targeted advertising and can also track users across a range of devices.
Continue reading How some websites spy on usThe Issue – regulating digital technologies
Regulators are increasingly enacting laws and putting forward policy guidelines and regulatory proposals for digital markets and the European Union plays a key role in setting these global standards. The European Parliament has also just agreed to establish new rules for competition and consumer rights in the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which are likely to come into force in 2024. Similarly, a roadmap for the regulation of Artificial Intelligence is on the way.
Continue reading Regulating digital technologies: Lessons from the GDPR
