Postulate Reynard (19.3199): Improving the security of products connected to the Internet.
Submitted text
The Federal Council is instructed to submit a report on how the security of products available on the market that are connected to the Internet can be improved with regard to data protection.
Justification
In recent years, the marketing and sale of products connected to the Internet – toys, vehicles, digital personal assistants or wellness devices – have increased significantly. Certain information is transmitted or the products record the information automatically (recording body weight with a networked scale, registering car journeys, presence or absence at home, etc.). However, the use of the products is associated with risks as far as data protection and the privacy of the individual are concerned. In fact, the products are very often little or not secured, which makes it easy to misuse them. The Federal Council is therefore instructed to submit a report on this matter, How to improve data protection in the area of Internet-connected products (avoidance of loopholes, compliance with certain basic security standards, prevention of the disclosure of personal data without the knowledge or consent of the consumer, etc.).
Statement of the Federal Council from 22.5.2019
Already in the upcoming report in implementation of the Po. 17.4295 Glättli will show which policies and guidelines can be used to improve the security of these devices and thus ensure the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the data they collect, store and transmit.
The postulate is to be fulfilled as part of this work. The aim is also to show how the protection of consumers from unintentional data transmission can be improved.