Untangling The Web Of Liability In The Internet Of Things

Over the last few years, the Internet of Things – known as the IoT – has taken the technology sector by storm. Although there is no hard and fast definition, digital devices with internet access that connect to other devices form the building blocks of the IoT. Gartner forecasts that 6.4 billion connected 'things' will be in use this year and this number is set to grow. Despite its scale, a lot of IoT technology is still in its infancy. Given the possibility of device and network vulnerabilities, many businesses and consumers are trying to understand liability and risk allocation in the IoT.

The promise of the IoT

The IoT promises smart cars, smart kitchens and smart home devices, among other things. Users usually control the various connected devices on the network using an app on their phones or tablets. However, like any technology, the connectivity of the IoT network and the devices themselves have the potential to malfunction or be hacked. This risk is even