We’re all familiar with the Internet, and the way it connects humans to one another and to vast amounts of data. But computer visionaries foresee the day when not just humans but all our devices are connected to each other via the Internet.This so-called “Internet of Things” (IoT) would make possible all manner of transformative technologies, from digital sensors that allow crops to report when they are thirsty or under attack by insects to parking spaces that alert us when they’re available to tiny implants that continuously monitor our health as we go about our lives.That long-anticipated day is still a ways off, because at this point the Internet of Things might more accurately be described as an Internet of Costly Things.

The flood gates have opened in a Congressional probe into how suspected Russian entities used social media to spread misinformation designed to influence America’s presidential election.On Thursday, Twitter, whoch has kept relatively quiet about suspected use of the platform for election meddling, will appear before Senate and House Intelligence Committee members.The move comes as Facebook begins to hand over 3,000 Russian-linked ads, including payment data and details on how Russian entities targeted voters through Facebook’s system.A Facebook representative told NBC News on Wednesday the company is in the process of providing information to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office. The House and Senate intelligence committees are also set to receive the advertisements as part of their ongoing probe into Russian interference in the election.