By Aim's data protection experts

May 2021

 

Just recently, Leeds, who have a desire to become a global technology hub, announced plans to become a smart city. This could include initiatives including the introduction of sensors to monitor pedestrian and traffic levels, as well as monitor air quality. This data could potentially influence behaviour changes by sending real time messages about air quality to people in different parts of the city, and effect a reduction in the environmental footprint. Then there’s the possibility of using a “smart” app to help cyclists get priority at traffic lights, improving traffic awareness and infrastructure in general. As the technology increases, so does the data gathered and so do the possibilities, for example, it could promote better water efficiency, impact economic development and even increase digital equity. However, there are caveats.

 

First, the data must be collected ethically and in-line with data protection guidelines. Secondly, it’s not a difficult jump to see that the data collected could infringe on people’s rights and freedoms, or that citizens could be tracked, and their habits and health monitored. A 21^st century 1984 where life is controlled by the state.

 

Is this possible? Well to an extent there is an example in China with their social credit system. In essence it mirrors credit scoring that we’re used to in the UK, but it takes it further and judges behaviour and trustworthiness. Jaywalking, non-payment of bills, playing music too loud could deprive you of some rights. At the moment the Chinese system works on a local level, for example credit scoring and monitoring shopping habits, but these could come under central control, and all aspects of a person’s life could be logged, analysed and assessed using AI. And it’s not just your smart phone or finances that could be monitored. Using sophisticated facial recognition software you could be visible wherever you are.

 

So, is the social credit system going to be a universal positive or the portent of a dystopian future? Only time will tell, but it’s likely to be somewhere in the middle. More importantly, for all of us, is the need to understand how much data is available about us, and how new technology can unlock huge potential for good, but also, under certain circumstances, have considerable negative impacts on our freedoms. Perhaps the vaccination passport is the first rung on that ladder in the West.

 

 

Interested in Ethics in Technology? You might be interested in reading our blog here.