Portland, OR develops Surveillance Technologies Policy for the protection of privacy rights
The Smart City PDX team is leading the city's engagement with residents on the new policy. A February 2022 draft requires a department-by-department inventory of current surveillance assets. Additional requirements include an annual report on surveillance activities, procurement rules for future technologies, and oversight guidelines. If approved, the policy would build on a 2020 ordinance banning the private-sector use of facial recognition in public places.
Portland, OR
United States
San Jose, CA launched the Equity Through Data and Privacy Program to improve city services
The city of San Jose launched the Equity Through Data and Privacy Program to improve both equity and accountability in city services through government data and analytics. The program will involve new data collection processes that the city can scale, paired with community outreach to be transparent about the effort and its intended impact.
San Jose, CA
United States
Chicago, IL is transforming its IT services by modernizing legacy systems and processes for users
The city of Chicago's Department of Assets, Information, and Services (AIS) announced a series of measures to modernize IT services. The programme involves redesigning the city's digital strategy to deliver more accessible citizen services, provide more efficient IT systems, enable transparency through broader access to data, and maintain privacy/security protections. The city plans to transform its IT enterprise by modernizing legacy systems, processes, and services for users.
Chicago, IL
United States
San Diego, CA considers ordinance requiring disclosures for surveillance footage and equipment
The San Diego City Council is considering a proposal to restrict the use of surveillance tools including the city's "smart streetlights" equipped with cameras. The new ordinance would require the disclosure of who is being surveilled and why that camera footage is being used. The ordinance has an exception for any federal task force with non-disclosure agreements. The council is attempting to balance helping the police solve crimes through surveillance and protecting the privacy of residents.
San Diego, CA
United States
Worcester, MA Police Department is launching a drone program for search warranted investigations
The Worcester City Council approved the Worcester Police Department's (WPD) drone program with stipulations to address concerns of potential civil liberty violations. According to the WPD, the drone will not record unless the department has issued a search warrant for a specific criminal investigation. Reporting on the drone's usage will be made available to the Acting City Manager on a quarterly basis.
Worcester, MA
United States
Dublin, OH partners with Software Verde to launch a digital identity pilot project with blockchain
The city of Dublin is partnering with Software Verde to launch a digital identity pilot project that will allow users to obtain a custom minted token stored on a blockchain. Users with this identity token can use the mobile app to verify their residency, respond to custom surveys, and earn Dublin Points a local community currency. The identity manager utilizes a decentralized permissioned blockchain and Dublin Points transactions are funded through the Bitcoin Cash Simple Ledger Protocol.
Dublin, OH
United States
New York, NY passed a biometrics privacy ordinance to prevent potentially discriminatory practices
New York City has passed a new biometrics privacy ordinance that limits what private businesses can do with the biometric data collected from customers. The ordinance also requires businesses to post signs explaining to customers how their data will be collected. Businesses are also banned from selling, sharing, or profiting directly from the biometric data that they collect. The ordinance was designed to discourage businesses from using potentially discriminatory technology.
New York, NY
United States
Portland, OR ended its digital twin pilot with Replica over a dispute involving data privacy
The City of Portland partnered with Replica to launch a one-year pilot to develop a digital twin. The pilot involved using de-identified movement data to better understand where transit riders are traveling and which bike paths are perceived as safe. Replica was going to use 5% of the population's mobile devices to create a simulated model of travel including demographics and the reason for the trip. The goal was to provide actionable insights into mobility, economic activity, land-use, etc.
Portland, OR
United States