The Intersection of Product Liability Law and the Internet of Things
Lucas M. Amodio Every year, an increasing number of Internet of Things devices are released. These devices can make our lives easier, but they also make our data, and potentially ourselves, more vulnerable to hackers. The question is no longer theoretical, as many of these devices can have a real impact on the world around them, like a networked sprinkler system that, if hacked, could flood a target’s basement. Going forward, we can look to the current law of product liability and the Federal Trade Commission to protect individuals from harm and loss when these devices might be compromised. Read...
A Vendetta Against Alexa: Privacy Concerns in the Age of the Smart Home
Katherine Minorini A person’s right to privacy is so fundamental that it was written into the United States Constitution under the Fourth Amendment. This right, although protected, is not absolute, especially in circumstances involving voluntary disclosure of information to third parties. Issues arise when the third-party exception to the Fourth Amendment is coupled with the novel capabilities and innovations of the Internet of Things, especially with the smart home. This Essay argues that courts need to adapt their interpretation and application of the third-party doctrine so that information disclosed to and recorded by smart home manufacturers and servers respects Fourth...