The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has published a significant new technical report, "ETSI TR 103 936 V1.1.1 (2024-01): Cyber Security; Implementing Design Practices to Mitigate Consumer IoT-Enabled Coercive Control". This pioneering document addresses the increasingly important issue of safeguarding individuals from coercive control through the misuse of consumer Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Coercive control encompasses a range of abusive acts such as security breaches, privacy invasions, harassment, physical assault, and other patterns of behaviour that can limit autonomy or cause emotional harm to potential targets.

As IoT devices become more prevalent in homes, the potential for their misuse in coercive and controlling behaviours has risen. The ETSI report provides comprehensive guidelines and design practices for organizations involved in developing and manufacturing Consumer IoT devices and associated services. The report aims to minimize the potential misuse of these devices for coercive control while maintaining their intended functionality.

This ETSI Technical Report sheds light on various forms of IoT-enabled abuse, including surveillance, intimidation, and control tactics that exploit IoT technologies. The document also emphasizes the need for trauma-informed design practices and offers insights into creating coercive control-resistant IoT products.

"ETSI is committed to enhancing the safety and security of IoT devices. This report represents a major step forward in understanding and mitigating the risks associated with IoT-enabled coercive control", said Alex Leadbeater, Chair of ETSI Technical Committee on Cybersecurity (ETSI TC CYBER).

ETSI's report is essential reading for anyone involved in the Consumer IoT sector, including designers, manufacturers, and policymakers. It highlights the importance of considering the broader societal implications of IoT technologies and the need for responsible and ethical design practices.