From: TechWeek Europe
Device manufacturers face US government action if they do not improve on basic security efforts, according to the FTC
Manufacturers of the expanding plethora of personal electronics that have embedded software and processors, so-called smart devices, need to make some basic efforts to secure the software or face potential government scrutiny, a representative of the US’ Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said at the RSA Conference on 28 February.
A growing number of actions taken by the Federal Trade Commission underscore the agency’s aim to convince more electronics companies to consider the security of the devices they are selling to consumers. Internet-connected cameras, mobile phones, health-monitoring devices and smart appliances all pose privacy risks for consumers because their manufacturers are not taking security precautions, Laura Berger, an attorney with the FTC, told attendees during a session on the security of smart devices.
Consumers at risk
“While considering the risks to consumer data is a great first step, companies need to also consider the effects of device functionality,” she said. “Just because we [the manufacturers] don’t have data that we are handling or collecting from consumers, does not mean that we are not putting consumers at risk.”
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