It is launching a consultation over controls of the way information is gathered, stored and processed, saying it wants to 'ensure the rights of individuals are respected'. The public is being invited to send in its views before a 12 July deadline.

The commission says that the average person living within the EU has at least two devices connected to the net at present - typically a computer and smartphone. It expects the figure to rise to seven by 2015, with a total of 25bn wirelessly connected to the net worldwide. By the end of the decade it says that could climb to 50bn. The spread of wireless-connected devices has been dubbed 'the internet of things' and has previously identified as potential catalyst to the economy.

The commission said it plans to publish its recommendations by the summer of 2013.