Future of Privacy

The Internet of Things is set to revolutionize the way that data is collected, and even more importantly the type and nature that is collected. For the first time passive data collection will far outstrip active collection, and that raises a number of concerns.

The type of data collected will allow governments, and companies to determine key features about their product usage. This in turn will allow them to segment and market more effectively.

In the past 10 years we have seen privacy eroded almost beyond recognition, with companies like Google and Facebook undertaking projects that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. Added to this is the fact that we seem to be in an era where no amount of security can keep data safe, it raises serious concerns.

In the future privacy will continue to exist, but in a form that we would be hard pressed to accept. Its likely that our grand children will grow up in a world where information like you location, demographic and even salary are common knowledge. Even medical histories might be available on request, as tax information is in some Nordic countries.

The question is, how far will this go, and will it ever stop?