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ARTICLE · 07 APRIL 2017

Cyber Security Meets Product Liability

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More and more products are becoming part of the "Internet of Things" ("IoT") – products that connect, store or transmit information via the Internet. Experts estimate that by 2020 there will be...

United StatesConsumer Protection
Melody McAnally
Melody McAnally
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More and more products are becoming part of the "Internet of Things" ("IoT") – products that connect, store or transmit information via the Internet. Experts estimate that by 2020 there will be 50 billion IoT devices. Cars. TVs. Cameras. Home alarms. Baby monitors. Medical devices. Like all technologies, there are benefits and risks. It has become more and more apparent that all IoT products can suffer a cyber-attack. Remember that hackers have a variety of motives. Damage to reputation. Competitive advantage, particularly with nation states. Embezzlement. Theft of trade secrets and IP.

But does poor cyber security mean product liability? If so, how should IoT manufacturers prepare to defend a product liability lawsuit?

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