This article in IEEE Spectrum discusses a project led by Gwen Shaffer in Long Beach, California, where “data walks” were used to help citizens understand and reflect on the data collection embedded in everyday urban infrastructure. Participants were shown public Wi-Fi routers, surveillance cameras, smart meters, and parking systems with license-plate readers, all part of a broader “smart city” push.
The idea behind data walks is straightforward yet powerful: by making data-collection points visible and transparent, residents can see firsthand how their movements, habits, and presence are being tracked. During these walks, Shaffer’s team posted privacy labels (similar to nutrition labels) next to devices, in multiple languages depending on the community, to explain what data is collected and how it’s used.
Feedback from participants revealed a tension between convenience and privacy. Some appreciated the ease and modernity offered by automated systems (e.g., faster parking entry). Others expressed discomfort at having little to no choice: unlike opting out of facial-scanning at airports, city residents cannot easily avoid surveillance if they want to access public services. Many cited a past cyberattack on municipal systems as a direct reason to distrust public Wi-Fi and other smart infrastructure.
To give residents more control, the research team is working with engineers from Carnegie Mellon University to develop a mobile tool, an “IoT assistant,” that lets individuals request deletion of collected data and prevent further passive collection from city-operated devices.
The article argues that while smart-city tech promises efficiency and convenience, meaningful citizen consent and data-governance mechanisms remain rare. Without them, smart-city deployments risk eroding public trust and raising serious privacy issues.