10/16/18 Strategies for Orphaned Technology

Peggy Smedley tells the story of smart-home devices that were left orphaned in many people’s home. She talks about the fallout when technology is abandoned as a result of mergers and acquisitions. She says the FCC sums it up, when it listed the questions IoT businesses should ask itself. Security is another big concern with orphaned technology, as vulnerability could put consumers’ lives at risk. One smart move is to make sure you are buying from a trustworthy and reputable company. She suggests to make sure to ask a provider what their plans are. For providers, she says don’t pretend that you are never going to change as a company—be upfront about what your plans are.