Residents caught up in a trial to turn Peterborough into a smart city are being "treated like lab rats in a surveillance experiment", privacy campaigners have warned. Broadband start-up CityFibre has installed sensors around three sites in the city that are able to transmit real-time data to social housing landlord Cross Keys Homes. It said it had installed noise sensors in vacant properties to detect "unauthorised activity", and parking sensors in front of emergency exits, which meant Cross Keys staff could be alerted to "illegal parking" quickly. Sensors were also fitted to track humidity and condensation to spot damp and "improve the comfort of tenants", whilst other sensors were installed to monitor wasted heat in communal areas and tell when fire doors were opened. News of the trial, however, prompted concern from privacy group Big Brother Watch, who said it turned "Peterborough's housing estates into surveillance zones". "Many residents will feel deeply uncomfortable living surrounded by 'noise sensors' and 'parking sensors'. They're being treated like lab rats in a surveillance experiment. The council ought to review this decision urgently," a spokesman for the group said. A CityFibre spokesperson said: “This IoT technology monitors environmental data not personal data, including ambient temperature, water and CO levels. Applications like these have the potential to improve residents’ safety and comfort, increase energy efficiency and deliver cost savings.”
Privacy group Big Data Watch warns CityFibre is treating residents participating in a trial in Peterborough as lab rats in a surveillance experiment . The ISP has installed sensors across three sites in the city enabling real - time data to be transmitted to social housing landlord Cross Keys Homes . The technology , which monitors environmental data not personal data , is expected to improve public ’ safety , improve energy efficiency and deliver cost savings according to the company , while Cross Keys said residents give full consent for sensors to be installed in their homes .