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The government is in the process of developing new laws to safeguard everyday household gadgets and devices to ensure that they cannot be hacked and exploited via the internet, following growing concerns that internet based devices increasingly lack basic security features.
The measures are being developed in conjunction with the National Cyber Security Centre along with manufacturers and retailers.
The new laws will require manufacturers to:
- Ensure all devices have a unique password which is not resettable by using any universal factory settings.
- Provide a public point of contact to allow anyone to report a vulnerability, which will be responded to in a timely manner.
- State explicitly the minimum length of time for which the device will get security updates at the point of sale.
Figures suggest that there will be 75 billion household internet-connected products like televisions, cameras, home assistants and their associated services, across the world, by the end of 2025.
UK Digital Minister Matt Warman said: “We want to make the UK the safest place to be online with pro-innovation regulation that breeds confidence in modern technology.
Our new law will hold firms manufacturing and selling internet-connected devices to account and stop hackers threatening people’s privacy and safety,”
Sources: bbc.co.uk, 27 January 2020, ‘Government plans new laws for smart gadgets sold in the UK’. expressandstar.com, 27 January 2020, ‘Pans to force tech firms to strengthen smart devices’ security revealed’.
