The Dual Edge of IoT: Empowering Lives While Challenging Privacy

Esmanur

The Internet of Things (IoT) stands out as one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving areas of technology today. However, viewing IoT as merely a collection of smart devices connected to the internet and their associated services falls short of capturing its true potential and impact. In reality, the true value of IoT lies in how the data collected by these devices is analyzed and managed. By processing this data, we can uncover unexpected relationships and opportunities, and even enable the emergence of disruptive trends across industries.













Information production today occurs at a pace unmatched in history. In the 1800s, humanity could only double its store of knowledge every 100 years. During World War II, this interval shrank to 25 years. By the 1980s, knowledge was doubling annually. Today, according to IBM, our information repository doubles every 12 hours. This rapid increase in information is driven by four key factors: First, IoT has made it possible to measure and report a wide variety of activities. Second, advances in big data techniques have made it easier to store and process this data. Third, the speed of scientific production has accelerated, rapidly increasing our body of knowledge. Finally, the sharing society allows individual data to be shared and contributes to the collective knowledge of humanity.



The potential offered by IoT could lead to radical changes in our daily lives. For instance, in the near future, determining customer locations and verifying identities will become standard practice. Knowing where people are and what they are doing in real-time will become possible; moreover, technology for identifying individuals over the network without the need for a PIN or other authentication methods will develop. These innovations will provide revolutionary opportunities for both individuals and businesses.


However, this technological advancement comes with significant costs. While IoT offers convenience, it also poses a risk of creating a surveillance network that threatens our personal privacy and freedom. The objects around us constantly monitor us, collecting data about what we are doing and even what we are not doing. Even everyday items have become surveillance tools. This situation may lead us to seriously question our trust in technology. It is essential to recognize that the immense power of IoT also carries substantial risks.


In this context, Friedrich Hölderlin's famous quote, "Where danger is, salvation also grows," seems to have been reversed in today's IoT world: "Where salvation is, danger also grows." The opportunities presented by IoT are as great as the risks they entail. Therefore, while benefiting from IoT technology, we must remain conscious and cautious about the risks it brings. Embracing the value technology adds to our lives while considering its impact on our personal freedoms and privacy is crucial for maintaining a balanced approach.





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