Retail analysis firm Hoxton Analytics is using cameras placed just above ground level to analyse customers' footwear, in 245 million of several novel ways smart cities are monitoring and analysing residents' every move. From so called "smart" street lights that light up when pedestrians pass below them, to data-gathering CCTV cameras, technology is letting city authorities know more about the movements of citizens. While this could help urban municipalities provide more efficient services, it also presents privacy concerns. "Very few of us have any real concept of what data smart cities are gathering", warned Renate Samson of privacy watchdog Big Brother Watch.
Retail analysis firm Hoxton Analytics is using cameras placed just above ground level to analyse customers' footwear, in one of several novel ways smart cities are monitoring and analysing residents' every move. From so called "smart" street lights that light up when pedestrians pass below them, to data-gathering CCTV cameras, technology is letting city authorities know more about the movements of citizens. While this could help urban municipalities provide more efficient services, it also presents privacy concerns. "Very few of us have any real concept of what data smart cities are gathering", warned Renate Samson of privacy watchdog Big Brother Watch.