Senate panel clears ‘Internet of Things’ bill

A Senate panel on Wednesday approved a bill that would establish a working group to examine different issues related to the development of the so-called Internet of Things.

The Senate Commerce Committee signed off, in a voice vote, on the DIGIT Act, which establishes the federal group to deal with the rise of connected devices from appliances to cars.

{mosads}The bill sets up the working group as well as steering committee comprised of stakeholders from industry and elsewhere. The two groups of people will examine a range of issues related to the Internet of Things, including what regulatory challenges exist to its proliferation and the availability of wireless spectrum for the devices.

The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who previously sponsored a resolution calling for the country to have a strategy related to the growth in connected devices.

The committee also approved several minor ammendments to the bill.

Something of a buzzword, proponents say the “Internet of Things” is likely to grow as an area for tech companies. Consumers can now buy connected appliances for their kitchens, for example, or cars that connect to the internet.

That’s raised some concerns about privacy. The Federal Trade Commission last year released guidelines for businesses concerning privacy and connected devices. An agency release at the time noted that “that connected devices raise numerous privacy and security concerns that could undermine consumer confidence.”