In recent years, IoT devices have become so deeply integrated into our daily lives that we often forget that they are not just tools of convenience, but also incessant recorders of human activity. A smartwatch monitors our heart rate and sleep, our mobile phones record location and movement, voice assistants “listen” to commands, while smart cars store data on speed, routes and driver behavior. In this context, a new and particularly interesting issue in the field of technology and security is emerging: smart devices as digital witnesses.
See also: Sensor attacks and side channel leaks in IoT & wearables
Increasingly, data from such devices is being used in investigations and court cases, either to incriminate or exonerate individuals. A smartwatch can prove that someone was on the move at a specific time, contradicting a statement. A smart home system can record a door opening or presence in a room, while a mobile phone can accurately capture a user's geographical location. This data acts as a kind of digital alibi or, conversely, as irrefutable evidence of guilt.
However, the use of such data raises serious security and reliability issues. How secure is the data stored on smart devices or in companies' cloud systems? Can it be corrupted or tampered with by malicious users?
See also: Side-Channel attacks on common IoT devices
If a hacker gains access to an IoT system, they could theoretically alter timestamps or activity records, creating false digital traces. This makes the concept of chain of trust, or ensuring that data remains authentic from the moment it is recorded until it is used as evidence, crucial.
At the same time, strong legal and ethical dilemmas are emerging. Who really owns this data? The user, the company that manufactured the device, or the service provider? Can an individual be forced to hand over data from their personal devices? And where does the protection of privacy stop and the need for public safety begin? The existence of “silent witnesses” all around us calls into question traditional concepts, such as the right to silence or control over personal information.
See also: Cybersecurity and IoT in the world of livestock farming
As technology evolves, smart devices will become increasingly accurate, but also more intrusive. The question is no longer whether they will be used as witnesses, but how to ensure that their use is safe, reliable and fair. In a world where technology remembers everything, protecting privacy and digital integrity is becoming one of the greatest challenges of modern society.
