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Smart cities, commonly known as digital cities, use distinctive techniques to implement information and communication technologies (ICT). Creating a diverse ecosystem, smart cities are devoid of an isolated service system. Technologies such as sensors, robots, software, and a network including real-time surveillance have become prime assets to maintain harmony and peace. 

For instance, in Amsterdam, the ICT policies tend to create a sustainable lifestyle for citizens. The government even plans to introduce smart ports streaming shipping traffic. Similarly, London is planning to develop a highly equipped market to utilize its waste, turning it into a new form of resource. 

From employing 3D surveillance cameras to keeping real-time track of activities, governments are strategically moving towards making life easier and safer for their people.

Advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber Physical Systems (CPS), fog computing, and cloud servers have made gathering data faster and more convenient. 

Data Management in Smart Cities

Gathering data in smart cities is made possible through various techniques that help in getting private and sensitive information about the residents. Data gathering has now become an integral part of life; however, to many, it still feels more like an invasion, with emerging concerns about data privacy. Researchers and data scientists across the world are constantly working on minimizing the risk of privacy breaching and instructing on the safest use of technology. 

Ethical Data Gathering 

To maintain justice and win the confidence of the citizens, data gathering must be ethical. With a lack of proper policy, smart cities can become more invasive and complicated to manage by having a weak control mechanism. Keeping the goal to make lives better and bring a positive change in cities, governments must formulate a set of policies to streamline the process.

Systems designed to uplift a citizen’s life can have negative effects if you lack the techniques to perform ethical data gathering, leading to disorientation and chaos within the cities. For instance, if a utility service provider uses smart capabilities to control and monitor the appliances in a private building, ensuring smooth distribution of resources, it may trigger privacy concerns. Smart cities should approach Data Management with the same ethics that are ideal for retail stores. While customers may be open to stores leveraging technologies to provide them with a superior shopping experience, they wouldn’t want the outlets to outright breach their privacy.

The application of technology in smart cities is highlighted from some of the leading projects developed in many regions and countries. Here are some examples:

• Water Quality Monitoring System, Korea

This system is designed to automatically update the authorities about the health and operational characteristics of the water supply. 

• The Plan of 100 Smart Cities, India

The National Democratic Alliance initiated this plan to enhance the quality of life, mass transit, energy efficiency, pollution, and transparent governance through technology. 

• Performance Measurement System, Europe

This project was initiated to keep a check on how each smart city in Europe is performing and what measures must be taken to bring improvements. 

Challenges Smart Cities Encounter With Data Gathering

With data gathering comes many major underlying ethical challenges in the following categories:

• Societal Challenges

Smart city applications must not discriminate on the basis of wealth and resources or function unfairly for different communities or people. If ethical laws are not followed, the concept of the smart city would be shaken. 

• Data Challenges

To establish a smart city, data collection is the prime factor – including both private and sensitive data. Ethical policies must be followed in order to address issues related to data collection, storage, and protection. When handling data collection through monitoring systems, drone applications, and crime detection devices, it is compulsory to make sure no private software is being used. The authorities should follow privacy laws to maintain peace and trust among the citizens. Similarly, when handling big data, authorities must be equipped with the right infrastructure to avoid data theft and privacy breaching threats. Data sharing and access are two fundamental aspects that also require proper policies to avoid any damage.

• Implementation Challenges

When a government implements the applications to create a smart city, it also needs policies and frameworks to streamline processes and ensure that the city can sustain the developments. Long-term strategies must be carefully thought out to handle any future problems. Other implementation challenges revolve around conforming services, scalability, organizational collaboration, and data ownership.

Wrap Up 

As technological development and advancement continue to progress, the possibility of encountering ethical issues in smart cities also grows. This highlights the importance of making careful and thought-out strategies to eliminate the risk and maintain harmony. There will always be the need to create a holistic approach in developing and designing smart city applications that can streamline the processes and contribute to uplifting the living standards of the citizens. To start, four fundamentals should be addressed when making policies for smart cities: privacy, trust, transparency, and compliance with the law.