Are you worried about your online data privacy? If the answer is “yes”, then you need to be concerned about the Internet-of-Things or IoT — a catch-all phrase for the global network of Internet-enabled sensors, devices and systems which collect and share your personal data.

The billions of IoT products out there right now are wildly diverse and growing fast. They include fitness trackers, medical devices, household appliances, mobile gadgets and even automobiles.

Already, there are more IoT products than there are people and many more will come online soon.

Proponents say that once we are fully immersed in IoT, the technology will engender myriad benefits.

Besides being energy-saving, IoT products also enhance our situational awareness and quality of life through automation, they claim.

… Dr Tan Teck Boon is a research fellow with the National Security Studies Programme in the Office of the Executive Deputy Chairman, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.