Over the last year, the U.S. government has been making strides toward understanding and, in some cases, encouraging the IoT industry. The Federal Government last year set up a consumer protection agency to look at privacy concerns, The Senate is talking about a cybersecurity regulation designed to keep technological expertise at the forefront of enterprise operations and the White House in September launched a Smart Cities initiative to help municipalities get in on the game.
Now, the members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Bob Latta of Ohio and Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont, have announced the creation of a bipartisan working group to examine the IoT.
The goals, as stated, of the working group are to educate members on IoT, identify issues affecting deployment of these emerging technologies, explore the benefits and challenges of IoT for consumers and interested stakeholders, examine the possible role of the federal government in advancing IoT technologies, and explore the potential for public private partnerships in this sector. At the end of the 114th Congress, the members will release a report summarizing the activity of the working group.
“The Internet of Things is changing our lives in countless ways, from increasing household energy efficiency to improving health outcomes to improving crop yields for farmers,” Welch said. “As devices become increasingly interconnected, it’s important that policymakers get up to speed on this emerging technology so that federal policy encourages innovation and consumer benefits, while protecting privacy and security.”
This Committee has primary jurisdiction over the IoT. In addition to Latta and Welch, the members of the working group include: Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Indiana Rep. Larry Bucshon M.D., New York Reps. Yvette Clarke, Chris Collins and Paul Tonko, North Dakota Rep. Kevin Cramer, North Carolina Reps. Renee Ellmers and Richard Hudson, California Reps. Anna Eshoo and Jerry McNerney, Texas Reps. Gene Green and Pete Olson (News - Alert), New Jersey Rep. Leonard Lance, Iowa Rep. David Loebsack, Illinois Reps. Bobby Rush and John Shimkus, and Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth.
“The Internet of Things is transforming every sector of our economy by using the Internet and networked sensors to optimize and customize products to better meet consumer preferences and demands,” said Latta. “From medical devices and telehealth capabilities to vehicles that communicate with each other in real-time, Internet connectivity is being integrated into our daily lives and changing the way we participate in today’s world. This working group will recognize the opportunities these technologies present and explore ways to encourage development and innovation in this already thriving marketplace, while avoiding regulations that will undercut the industry.”