How cities monitor us and with what technologies

Table Of Contents

What are the technologies in the city that monitor us andspy

Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

What are the technologies in the city that monitor us andspy

As technology in cities and its reach grows, so do their responsibilities. From ensuring responsible privacy to surveillance that does not undermine our rights to be free in cities that are more guarded and controlled than ever.

Some analysts already warn that the success of smart cities will lie in containing a balance with the privacy of users. New technologies will create enormous sources of data and opportunities, but also new risks that must be studied and analyzed in depth.

Today, cities are already joining large technology platforms that analyze large volumes of data (See article BIG DATA) to offer more effective services with the promise of using data in a civic way to awaken innovation, make urban spaces more pleasant or promote social insertion, among many other benefits.

At the same time, the application of these advances is based on the personal data of individuals and users where important problems of civil liberties or privacy can arise.

Administrations and governments from the first stages of planning, including urban planning and its infrastructures, should be concerned and establish legislative frameworks and tools designed for the use, collection, exchange or elimination of that information.

We must remember that if citizens do not clearly see the benefits of new technologies or distrust the protection of their data, they will see the new sensors, cameras and other useful applications as a surveillance and discipline tool, instead of providing solutions and innovation. useful for daily life.

From the Future Of Privacy Forum platform they have just launched an analysis that tries to shed light on the privacy and future of smart cities with a conclusion that offers a different vision … "The cities of the future will succeed by being more accountable and transparent about how they will use residents' data, and NOT how they will advance technologically"

What are the technologies that collect data in a city?

The report delves into what technologies are currently connected and we they are watching. It is no longer just about our own smartphone or smartphone that is continuously actually broadcasting data about what we do or stop doing, there are many more. sensors in urban spaces and on its landscape that we do not perceive at first glance, but that are continually providing information to data centers.

Surveillance from transport andmobility

Traffic controls that react to pedestrians (for example a traffic light or bus stops)
Automatic registration of license plates. Security and surveillance cameras that capture the images of license plates as vehicles pass.
Intelligent public transport that adjusts routes based on demand.
Road tolls that track traffic patterns and congestion.
Sensors and smoke and fire detectors that monitor any incident to notify the fire brigade.
Sensors dedicated to pedestrian traffic to optimize urban spaces.
Urban bicycle services. When we use bicycles and when we don't.
The helicopters and drones that watch us from the sky.
The mobile Apps that we can use for example for public transport or even for taxis.
Smart cars with their Wifi or Internet that communicates with practically everything.
Ferrovial transport that transmits data on its use and possible breakdowns.
All kinds of Apps to move around the city with their maps and geolocation.

Surveillance from the utility

Data surveillance in cities on the analysis of water quality improvement. And data on the different supply networks or possible leaks.
Smart water meters that monitor consumption on each home.
Light sensors optimized based on atmospheric conditions.
Lighting sensors that regulate the power according to the needs of the space and place.
Smart energy grids based on energy demand consumption flows.

Surveillance from communications

The public Internet or the broadband that connects the information services that they can offer us.
Urban smart cards such as the one used on bicycles or buses and subways.
The free wifi of the public kiosks that collects information.
The cloud servers that process the data and that offer information via the Internet to city residents.

Surveillance from administrative services

Listening sensors and alert the police. For example, in many traffic lights they exist.
Police applications or Apps to improve emergency response.
Safety devices like cameras what can we find in the streets.
Supervision of the social networks of the Administrations and their analysis.
Monitoring of public parking lots and different sensors for cars to open parking spaces or areas, for example the old neighborhoods of the city.
Centers of security coordination where they collect data in real time.

Environmental monitoring

In some cities, garbage containers report whether they are full or not. They are the smart waste containers.
Smart landfills that monitor loading levels and waste emissions.
The different environmental sensors They measure air quality, noise, and other conditions.
Public garbage waste trucks that adjust their routes in real time according to needs.

I think by now we can understand that we are quite guarded in cities even if we don't want to. If we add all the monitoring points and data extraction sensors, we find the following image …

What are the data privacy risks?

Are we using the information we have obtained from residents well?… Administrations and governments must begin to be aware of the main concerns relating to data privacy that different analysts consider vulnerable:

Surveillance. Concern for the collection of data from governments to corporate entities that will obtain detailed records of people's lives, strengthening an imbalance of power.
Data losses. Systems must be implemented to safeguard information and possible databases on residents.
Unexpected uses. Special attention must be paid to the data collected about an individual that initially has a useful purpose with a specific consent by the user and that is later used for another purpose.
Inappropriate legislation and data security. Adequate legislation must be implemented to regulate the manipulation, registration and freedom of information.
Discrimination. Specialists are concerned with how the algorithms are going to treat this data in the face of specific communities, differentiated social layers or possible prejudices of any kind.
Data quality. Inaccurate, incomplete or biased data can lead to poor decision making with discriminatory or unethical results.

How to improve data privacy in cities?

We have already seen the danger and risk associated with the use of data in large cities. They are contingencies that must be controlled by means of different tools that administrations must assume to reduce unnecessary risks.

Programmed privacy management. Institutions must establish procedures and practices that ensure resources for adequate supervision and auditing.
Transparency and consent. Engaging individuals and communities so that they understand why information is collected and how their personal data is used by offering participation options whenever possible.
Local storage. Data is collected for analysis only and on specific areas. Information exchanges must be very controlled.
Minimize data. Only the necessary data that provides relevance to achieve a specific purpose should be collected.
Vendor management. There must be evaluation and supervision tools as well as monitoring and good practices in the security and privacy aspect of all those entities that process the information.
Disidentification. Information to be centralized and monitored so that there are no leaks.

Different city administrations together with providers and different community organizations must work together to embroider the fundamental principles and issues of the privacy in the city. being able to reap the benefits of a data-rich society while minimizing threats to the privacy of people and the civil liberties.

Access to the reference report issued by Future Of Privacy Forum from HERE.

Some articles of interest: