How The Internet of Things Is Changing The Identity Conversation

The conversation around identity is changing quickly in terms of mobility thanks to the rising interest in the Internet of Things and connectivity in general. So far, 2015 has been host to a number of big announcements and major presentations at global technology events that have been shifting the focus of the discussion from smartphones to a broader paradigm of mobility.

In March alone, we have seen two major industry events – Mobile World Congress and the Apple Watch announcement – that have specifically moved the conversation in this manner, but the changes has been happening since January. Mobility is changing and so is our discussion of identity. Here’s how:

Privacy

With the rise in connectivity and the proliferation of biometric technology, privacy concerns have naturally presented themselves. Prior to this year, the privacy discussion was primarily centered around identification tech deployments in public areas, law enforcement, workplaces and schools. The switch from contextual or biographic ideas of identity to those of strong biological verification is a big one for many people, and it stands that they should be relatively cautious before embracing a new paradigm.

Thankfully, the above listed areas of deployment have mostly grown out of the initial apprehensiveness, and we’ve seen an increase in biometric deployments, especially in schools and workplaces, now that the technology doesn’t seem so new.

The scares haven’t stopped though, the focus has simply shifted. The Internet of Things has taken the privacy worries out of the vertical markets and brought it into the home these past few months. Connected devices that can listen to users have made consumers skeptical of what they can say in their own homes – in front of their new TVs or near their children’s toys.

The IoT privacy talk, like the biometrics ones that preceded it, will likely die down with familiarity and regulation, but for now, if you want to talk about protecting personal data, the Internet of Things is a great place to start.

Internet of Things Poses Serious Threat to Privacy

Privacy Advocates Call for Halt in Production of Hello Barbie

FTC to Investigate Samsung Smart TV Privacy Issues

Internet of Things Bewilders Regulators

Consensus Grows on Need for Biometric Security in Internet of Things

Tech Expert Calls for Industry-Wide Security Standards for Internet of Things

Connected Cars

Though the term Smart City may strike some as a little too sci-fi to be talking about in 2015, it describes the goal of the proliferation of the Internet of Things and a key aspect of it is the connected car. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the connected car was a key area of focus, and in the months since then we’ve seen a number of moves from automotive companies to embrace new ideas of identity and connection.

From Apple’s CarPlay, which is being built into most cars from major manufacturers, to the rise of eye tracking and iris recognition in new vehicles, the first step towards the goal of living in Smart Cities is being taken right now.

The following articles will give you an idea of how biometrics, connection and cars are becoming a bigger part of our larger discussions of identity:

Hyundai Takes IoT Baby Step with Blue Link App

Connected Car Tech Will Use Biometrics to Offer Personalized Driving Experience

EyeLock Iris-Scanning Tech to be Embedded in 3D-Printed Car

Ford Uses Biometric Tech to Improve Driver Experience

New Jeep to Pioneer Iris Scanning Driver Authentication

Knowing Your Stuff, Your Stuff Knowing You

Convenience is a major driving factor in consumer adoption of new technology, especially when it comes to identity management. With biometric solutions users are given better-than-password security, but studies show that the real appeal is convenience. The idea of never having to answer another security question sounds like a godsend to many consumers and a great reason to buy into biometrics.

With the Internet of Things the same thing is true. Adoption will rise with the promise of greater convenience. At last years’ Money 20/20 conference, Visa president Ryan McInerney described how this thinking can change the payments experience, by hiding all of the awkward transactions that get in the way of the more desirable social interactions of everyday live. McInerney’s vision of the future of payment can just as easily describe the benefits of a robust IoT ecosystem.

Knowing the devices you own doesn’t get easier than having them connected to your personal device ecosystem (smartphone, tablet, cloud, wearable). People who might not normally have any idea what their climate control unit or smoke detector is up to suddenly have a platform to better know these essential machines. But what’s more important is that the machine gets to know their user too.

The Apple Watch presentation from earlier this month still stands as the best demonstration of how wearable tech can put users right into the Internet of Things, but it’s not the only one we’ve seen this year. The following articles will help illustrate how IoT is helping bridge the gap between human and machine.

Apple Watch Demo Makes Wearables Seem Essential

Location of Things: Pixie Connects And Identifies Physical Objects

MWC 2015: Nymi Called The Future of Payment

Vital Biometrics Month: I Heart Authentication

Synopsis and Sensory Unveil Ultra-Low Power Voice Recognition for IoT

Location of Things: Pixie Connects And Identifies Physical Objects

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