Connected tech: smart or sinister?

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 12 May 2022 Closed: 5 Feb 2024 Parliament page
The DCMS Committee will examine the impacts of the increasing prevalence of smart and connected technology and what needs to be done to ensure it is safe and secure for its users. The Connected tech: smart or sinister? inquiry will explore how devices including smart speakers, virtual assistants such as … Read more
23 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
2 Reports
6 Oral sessions
1 Letter
6 Events
Activity timeline 17 events
11 Jan
2024
Report published
24 Nov
2023
Report published
30 Aug
2023
Report published
7 Aug
2023
Report published
9 Feb
2023
Correspondence
31 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
31 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
17 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
17 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
22 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
22 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
1 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
31 Jan 2023
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Erika Lewis · Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Julia Lopez MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport Sam Cannicott · Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
17 Jan 2023
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David Kleidermacher · Google John Edwards · Information Commissioner's Office Leila Rouhi · Amazon Stephen Almond · Information Commissioner's Office
22 Nov 2022
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Dr Yiyun Kang Svana Gisla · ABBA Voyage
1 Nov 2022
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Dr Asieh Hosseini Tabaghdehi Dr Efpraxia Zamani Dr Matthew Cole
11 Oct 2022
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Matt Lewis · NCC Group Professor George Loukas Simon Moore · Palo Alto Networks
19 Jul 2022
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Antony Walker · techUK Dr Leonie Tanczer Dr Lulu Shi Silkie Carlo · Big Brother Watch
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
4 Recommendation Rejected
Tenth Report - Connected tech: sma…
Urge ICO to proactively engage manufacturers on child-friendly privacy settings for connected tech.
The use of connected tech in schools and by children in homes raises concerns, including the harvesting and third-party use of children’s data and their lack of control over what technology is used and when. The Government and ICO were … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the conclusion, asserting that the ICO has already been proactive through extensive work with industry since the Age-Appropriate Design Code came into force, producing guidance and resources for Edtech and schools.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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9 Recommendation Rejected
Tenth Report - Connected tech: sma…
Keep data protection reforms under review to avoid undermining existing adequacy agreements.
The Government has not yet made a compelling case for reform of data protection. While we understand that some companies do not share data outside the UK, we are concerned that differing expectations between those companies and companies that do … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the conclusion, asserting that the UK remains committed to high data protection standards and that the proposed Bill will simplify legislation while maintaining robust safeguards. It argues that EU adequacy does not require identical rules and that dialogue with the EU continues to ensure free data flows.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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10 Conclusion Rejected
Tenth Report - Connected tech: sma…
Reject executive overreach by preventing ICO powers without full parliamentary oversight.
We agree that reforming the governance and accountability structures of the Information Commissioner’s Office will be a positive step. We have previously recommended against executive overreach in the case of Ofcom and the Online Safety Bill; these concerns apply with … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the conclusion, asserting that the reforms will enhance the ICO's accountability without undermining its independence, citing the Information Commissioner's agreement. It clarifies that the Strategic Statement of Priorities will be subject to parliamentary oversight and approval, ensuring accountability to Parliament.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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11 Recommendation Rejected
Tenth Report - Connected tech: sma…
Produce an implementation plan and commit to codifying remaining IoT security guidelines.
The introduction of the product security regime, which codifies three of the original thirteen guidelines set out in the Government’s internationally recognised 2018 Code of Practice for Consumer IoT Security, is an important first step in improving cybersecurity for connected … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects committing to codify the remaining guidelines in phases, stating it's not currently proportionate, but will monitor the impact of existing requirements and may mandate further ones if necessary.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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16 Recommendation Rejected
Tenth Report - Connected tech: sma…
Ensure DSIT coordinates cyber policy and establish clear ministerial accountability for delivery.
The creation of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is an opportunity to ensure a comprehensive, joined up approach to cyber policy. We recommend that responsibilities for cyber policy is co-ordinated by the dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that the UK National Cyber Strategy sets out a whole-of-government approach where various ministers have specific cyber responsibilities, and argues that national security cannot be separated from broader cyber policy.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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17 Recommendation Rejected
Tenth Report - Connected tech: sma…
Ensure National Cyber Security Centre has capacity to meet growing demands for services
As the prevalence of connected technology grows, so too will the demand for the National Cyber Security Centre’s services. The Government should ensure that the National Cyber Security Centre has the capacity to meet demands for its services. It should … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating it ensures the NCSC is sustainably funded but rejects explicitly addressing NCSC capacity issues in its regular labour market reporting, instead confirming that NCSC needs are considered within broader workforce capacity assessments.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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20 Conclusion Rejected
Tenth Report - Connected tech: sma…
Convene cross-sector tech abuse working group to produce guidance and code of practice
We want to see words from cross-sector stakeholders on tech abuse now leading to positive actions. The Office for Product Safety and Standards should, at the earliest opportunity, convene a “tech abuse working group” with stakeholders, bringing industry together with … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating there are no plans for OPSS to convene a tech abuse working group as aspects of tech abuse are addressed in existing policies and legal frameworks, and it is not within OPSS's primary remit.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Government Response AI assessment · 31 of 23 classified
Accepted 13
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 4
Rejected 7
Total 23 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
9 Feb 2023 To committee Letter from John Edwards, Information Commissioner, relating to oral evidence on 17 January, 6 February 2023
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