Google’s New Smart City Faces Privacy Issues
If you thought that Google is behind designing only smart devices and software, then you have had it all wrong. Google is so much more than that. Google’s plans are beyond imagination and involve building, not just technologies for cities, but for a smart city in itself. But though this might have a wow factor, the company is facing privacy issues.
Google’s Alphabet division has a project under its branches called Sidewalk Labs. Sidewalk Labs is a division that is focused on smart cities, and right now the company is facing some trouble with privacy issues. The team has lost its lead expert and consultant Ann Cavoukian. Why? Because this expert disagreed with a plan that was proposed by Google for a smart city.
Interesting and Unique Project
Now how did it turn out to this? Well, Google has plans for a conceptual smart neighborhood in Toronto, and the plans were for this particular location. This sudden exit of Cavoukian joins the mounting complains regarding Google’s smart district. Sidewalk Labs has always made it clear that this city will always be following privacy by design.
Now, what does that mean is that privacy would be considered at every part and aspect of the design, and it thus balances the rights of the citizens to create a smarter, efficient and environmentally friendly living spaces. But still, not everyone is happy with Google’s move. Many are sceptical about this move. Many question Google’s advertising strategy and whether will this be used against the residents of this new city.
Privacy Beats Smart?
But still, something that should be kept in mind is that the planning and the discussions are not yet over, and Google still has a lot to do. And progress has also been made. Sidewalk Labs published some initial proposals in Quayside for data governance. This is a move that suggests that the company wants someone else to handle and take care of this issue.
That is good, but that also means that Google would now have to follow the new rules and regulations. Sidewalk Labs suggest that information can be collected, but residents should be aware of that fact. Cameras can be placed, but signs need to be erected next to it making it clear that they are being recorded. The video files would also need to be discarded in a rolling 7-day basis.
These are good rules, and they would do well if they would be implemented. Of course, the question remains, when it would be implemented and how. For now, only time can answer these questions.
