I have previously written about the importance of smart city initiatives as an innovative way to address the challenges of urbanisation, sustainability, and liveability.
However, as with any new technology, some potential challenges and drawbacks must be considered.
One of the primary concerns of smart city initiatives is privacy.
As cities become more connected, there is a risk that personal data could be compromised. This could include sensitive medical records, financial information, and location data.
In 2018, it was reported that a Russian company had purchased access to the location data of over 50 million smartphone users from a popular weather app. This data could be used to track the movements of individuals.
Additionally, there is a risk that this information could be used to discriminate against certain groups or individuals.
In some smart city initiatives, data from job applications and resumes may be used to analyse to identify the candidates for certain positions.
However, there is a risk that this data analysis could discriminate against certain groups based on age, disabilities, race or religion.
Another example is the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement and other city agencies for mass surveillance based on racial profiling.
In addition to privacy and discrimination concerns, there is also a risk that smart city initiatives could worsen existing inequalities. This is because the benefits of these initiatives may be uneven across all members of society.
For example, low-income individuals may not have access to technologies and services as their wealthier counterparts. This could create a digital divide that further marginalises vulnerable communities such as the B40 group or those in rural areas.
A smart city app that allows residents to report potholes or other infrastructure problems may be of little use to those who cannot afford a smartphone or live in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Another major concern with smart city initiatives is the potential for increasing levels of authoritarianism. There is always the risk of governments using these technologies to exert undue, unnecessary and excessive control over citizen’s lives.
Countries with dictatorships tend to use these technologies to keep their citizens under tight political control.
The sophisticated network of sensors, cameras, and algorithms gathers vast amounts of data on every aspect of urban life, from traffic patterns to citizen behaviour.
But as this digital web tightens its grip on our lives, questions arise about who is really in control and at what cost.
It must be recognised that lurking in the shadows of the smart city is a possibility of a hidden world of surveillance, manipulation, and exploitation that threatens to undermine our freedoms and values.
Welcome to the dark side of smart cities, where the price of progress may be considered by some as too high to pay.
Another primary concern surrounding smart city initiatives is cyber security. As cities become increasingly interconnected, there is a risk that hackers could exploit vulnerabilities in the system.
In 2018, the city of Atlanta was hit by a ransomware attack that took down many of its critical systems, including its court system and police department.
The attack cost the city millions of dollars in recovery costs. It highlighted the risks associated with interconnected smart city infrastructure.
Finally, smart city initiatives could lead to a loss of human connection and community.
As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, we risk becoming more isolated and disconnected from our neighbours and communities.
Therefore, while smart city initiatives hold great promise for improving urban life, they also raise several significant concerns.
Governments, officials and policymakers need to address these critical and real concerns.
This will ensure that smart city initiatives are designed and implemented in an effective and equitable way.
I cannot foresee the concepts of smart initiatives being halted despite all the concerns expressed by the public or civil liberties groups.
The initiatives are being implemented at full speed worldwide, and every city, town and village wants to be included. It is a technological juggernaut that will continue in perpetuity.
As the deployment of advanced technology and data-driven decision-making becomes increasingly pervasive, the risk of abuse, bias, and manipulation grows exponentially.
Without adequate checks and balances, the dark side of smart cities can result in a dystopian reality where our every move is monitored, our choices dictated, and our rights stripped away.
Therefore, governments and authorities must ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and ethically, with the protection of citizens’ rights as the top priority.
There is no doubt that smart city initiatives have been revolutionising the way we live, work, and play. However, we must remain vigilant and work together to address these issues.
Transparency, accountability measures via consultative community engagement, and ethical guidelines for using these smart technologies would be a good way forward.
Don’t think that abuse of these technologies will not affect you. Once you are at the receiving end, only then will you wake up to reality. But by then, it will be too late for you.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
