California moves to stop hackers from taking control of smart gadgets

The state of California has been a pioneer when it comes to shaping policies to tackle everything from climate change to consumer privacy. Now it could take the lead in yet another area: cybersecurity for online gadgets.

The state’s lawmakers have just sent California’s governor, Jerry Brown, draft legislation that aims to tighten the security of web-connected devices.

If he approves it, California will become the first US state with a law specifically tailored for the internet of things (IoT).

It’s not hard to see why such legislation is needed. Barely a day goes by without some new report of hackers compromising all kinds of products, from web-connected dolls to security cameras. And billions of new connected devices will be flooding onto the market over the next few years.

Read also: Bristol Airport hit by suspected ransomware cyber attack

Some experts think it’s only a matter of time before hacked gadgets cause serious injuries, and perhaps even kill people.

California’s legislation, which would come into effect in January 2020, requires connected devices to have a “reasonable” security feature or features “appropriate to the nature and function of the device.”

It also requires manufacturers to either create a different default password for every gadget they sell or prompt users to change a common default password before they use a device for the first time.

 

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