Surveillance State? Chicago Installs Permanent Data Collection Sensors for Public, Gov't Use

Fifty of Chicago's lampposts will be outfited with sensors that track light, sound, air quality and other environmental variables, and individual movement from smartphones, as part of an Urban Center for Computation and Data project called the "Array of Things," in which collected data is made available online for both the public and government to use.

The weatherproofed boxes will be placed on eight Michigan Ave. intersections, with the rest in the downtown areas, according to the Chicago Tribune. Each box contains a dozen sensors to log data that can be used by app developers, researchers, scientists and the government. There are no guidelines as to how the data can or will be used.

While data-hungry researchers are enthusiastic about the project, some experts said that the system's flexibility and planned partnerships with industry beg to be closely monitored, the Trib writes. Questions include whether the sensors are gathering too much personal information about people who may be passing by without giving a second thought to the amount of data that their movements—and the signals from their smartphones—may be giving off.

This project announcement follows the Chicago Council on Global Affairs event where an expert panel addressed four areas in which data collection and analysis could have the biggest effect: energy, transportation, education and public safety.

The Tuesday panel also featured Caralynn Nowinski, executive director and COO at UI Labs, McKinsey & Co. director John Livingston and University of Chicago lecturer Nirav Shah, an associate at law firm Sidley Austin. Ted Souder, head of industry for retail at Google Chicago, moderated.

Lincoln Ellis, managing director and head of strategy at Green Square Capital, stated seven best practices for data collection:

• Lead big data initiatives from the top

• Collect appropriate and quality data

• Ensure data sharing, public access and collaboration

• Put safeguards in place for data security

• Address privacy concerns

• Gain public support

• Fund outcome-based evidence on what works.

The panel also discussed how big data can reach its potential and associated risks, which can be read at the Chicago Tribune.