The Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging technology powered by smart devices that increasingly populate our environment and transform our practices. Understanding how technologies are appropriated by individuals and communities is crucial for the development of IoT applications that are socially and culturally relevant. This study explores the concept of appropriation in the context of IoT, using a semiotic approach to analyze the signs and symbols that are used to represent and communicate the technology. The study focuses on the city of Brea, California, which has been at the forefront of IoT adoption. Through a qualitative analysis of interviews, observations, and documents, the study identifies the signs and symbols that are used to represent IoT in Brea, and examines how these signs are interpreted and used by different stakeholders. The study finds that the signs and symbols used to represent IoT in Brea are often ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of the technology. The study contributes to our understanding of how technologies are appropriated and represented in different contexts, and highlights the importance of considering the social and cultural dimensions of IoT adoption.