Ethical and legal challenges with IoT in home digital twins
D. Dhinakaran, Sundararajan Edwin Raja, A. Ramathilagam, G. Vennila, A. Alagulakshmi · MethodsX · 2025
Home Digital Twins represent a transformative application of IoT in the home environment, turning conventional living spaces into intelligent ecosystems. This paper explores the ethical and legal challenges associated with these technologies, focusing on critical issues such as privacy, data security, and accountability. The study integrates real-world case studies of privacy controversies and cybersecurity breaches to illustrate potential vulnerabilities in IoT-enabled systems. Furthermore, it examines the complexities of regulatory compliance, including cross-border data flows and liability concerns in the event of system failures, with a focus on frameworks such as GDPR, CCPA, and India's Digital Personal Data Protection Bill. The methodology includes an in-depth analysis of existing legal frameworks, industry best practices, and technical mitigation strategies to propose actionable guidelines for addressing these challenges. Key findings emphasize the necessity of robust legal frameworks, user-centered design principles, and transparent data practices to foster trust and security in IoT systems. By advocating for a balance between technological innovation and ethical accountability, this paper highlights opportunities for sustainable and responsible IoT development that upholds user rights and societal values.