Connected products
EU Data Act for connected products
The EU Data Act is highly relevant to businesses that manufacture, sell, lease or operate connected products that generate data during use.
What is a connected product?
A connected product is generally a physical product that obtains, generates or collects data about its use, performance or environment and can communicate that data electronically.
This may include consumer devices, vehicles, industrial equipment, smart machinery, agricultural sensors, energy devices, health-related devices and other internet-connected equipment.
Why the Data Act matters
The Data Act gives users of connected products more control over data generated by their use of those products. That can affect how manufacturers and service providers design products, expose data, handle requests and contract with customers.
Areas to review
- What data the product generates during normal use.
- Whether the user can access that data directly.
- Whether data can be shared with an authorised third party.
- How trade secrets, security and confidentiality are protected.
- Whether contracts explain data access, use and sharing clearly.
- Whether product design allows practical data access.
Action points
Connected product checklist
Map generated data
List the data created by the product, including usage, diagnostic, performance, sensor and operational data.
Identify users
Work out who owns, rents, leases or uses the product and may have rights to access generated data.
Review access routes
Check whether data can be accessed directly, exported, or made available through an interface or request process.
Prepare request handling
Create a process for verifying users, handling third-party sharing requests and recording decisions.
Not sure?
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