IoT: Connected appliances collect, manipulate, and share data to perform their stated functions. But the terms of service under which these activities take place are very broad and permissive. What data is actually being collected? Is it being used only for the intended purpose? What other business relationships are being established? Are the products secure against potential intrusion? Are the manufacturers pursuing industry-leading development practices? Are they abiding by emerging privacy standards?

Cars: With the advent of advanced telemetrics, various levels of autonomous driving, and roadside assistance programs, cars and trucks are becoming data platforms. However, most consumers view their vehicles as private spaces and physical goods, rather than as nodes in a larger data network. What data collection is happening while you are driving your car? Is it being sold to other companies, like your insurance provider or employer? What type of coordination is occurring with various forms of law enforcement? How much autonomy, agency, and control are being surrendered by consumers?

Data Brokers: Huge amounts of personal data is being collected, aggregated, and sold by data brokers. This activity is often disclosed and permitted by privacy policies and terms of service, but remains largely invisible to consumers and outside the realm of inspection and regulation by authorities. What type of tactics—disclosed, intentionally hidden, or illicit—are being used by data brokers to collect consumer data? What types of data are most valuable? Why? How does the market work? What are the emerging trends in the industry? What new, potential threats are emerging to consumer privacy and security?