The US Department of Commerce (DoC) issued aGreen Paper on Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things, aimed to identify elements of an approach for the DoC to foster the advancement of the IoT. In addition to identifying key issues that can impact the deployment of IoT technologies, and highlighting potential benefits and challenges, the paper outlines several principles aimed to guide any future DoC activities in the area of IoT: leading efforts to ensure the IoT environment is inclusive and widely accessible to consumers, workers, and businesses; recommending policy and taking action to support a stable, secure and trustworthy IoT environment; advocating for and defending a globally connected, open and interoperable IoT environment built upon industry-driven, consensus-based standards; and encouraging IoT growth and innovation by expanding markets and reducing barriers to entry, and by convening stakeholders to address public policy challenges. The publication of the paper was accompanied by the launch of a public consultation in which the DoC asks for comments on the benefits, challenges, and potential roles for the government in fostering the advancement of the IoT.