- Bill to better protect people's smartphones, TVs, speakers, toys and other digital devices from hackers
- Will prevent the sale of consumer connectable products in the UK that do not meet baseline security requirements
- Comes as research shows four in five manufacturers of connectable products do not implement appropriate security measures
- Includes plans for fines up to £10 million or up to 4 per cent of global revenue for firms failing to comply
A new law will require manufacturers, importers and distributors of digital tech which connects to the internet or other products to make sure they meet tough new cyber security standards - with heavy fines for those who fail to comply.
The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Bill, introduced to Parliament today, will allow the government to ban universal default passwords, force firms to be transparent to customers about what they are doing to fix security flaws in connectable products, and create a better public reporting system for vulnerabilities found in those products.
The Bill will also speed up the roll out of faster and more reliable broadband and mobile networks by making it easier for operators to upgrade and share infrastructure. The reforms will encourage quicker and more collaborative negotiations with landowners hosting the equipment, to reduce instances of lengthy court action which are holding up improvements in digital connectivity.
Minister
