City of London Corporation Calls on Ban for Data-Gathering Smart Bins

Urian B., Tech Times 26 May 2023, 10:05 pm

The City of London Corporation has taken a strong stance against using Wi-Fi-enabled bins that have been recording the movements of individuals as they navigate the city streets. These bins, known as "smart bins," have recently been scrutinized due to concerns over privacy and data collection practices.

Calls for an End to Personal Information Recording by Smart Bins

According to the story by CNet, the City of London Corporation has called for an immediate halt to recording personal information by these bins. The smart bins, installed by a startup called Renew London, are equipped with LCD screens displaying advertisements.

These bins have been designed to capture details from mobile devices as people pass by and track their subsequent movements. According to reports from The Independent, these bins have recorded data from an astonishing 4,009,676 devices carried by passers-by in the Cheapside area of London.

Tracking MAC Addresses and Monitoring Movements

When individuals have Wi-Fi enabled, these smart bins can track their MAC addresses and monitor their movements. The collected data is then used to analyze which shops individuals visit and how long they spend there.

This information is utilized to deliver targeted advertisements on the bins' screens. The collection of anonymous MAC addresses is currently legal, as further explained in EU Directive 2009/136/EC.

The City's Response to Privacy Concerns

Concerns have been raised regarding the compliance of these smart bins with the European Union's data protection directive. The directive mandates that individuals provide explicit consent to store their data using cookies.

This raises questions about obtaining explicit consent for data collection by smart bins. In response to the privacy concerns surrounding smart bins, the City of London Corporation has taken proactive measures.

City of London Corporation's Response to Protecting Privacy Rights

The local authority has raised the issue with the Information Commissioner's Office and suspended the technology's ongoing trials. This demonstrates the Corporation's commitment to protecting the privacy of individuals and ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

Wi-Fi-enabled bins have sparked a broader conversation about the delicate balance between targeted advertising and personal privacy. Critics argue that collecting personal data without explicit consent constitutes a significant invasion of privacy, while proponents maintain that it is a harmless advertising strategy.

City of London Corporation Triggers Debate on Privacy Rights with Smart Bin Intervention

The intervention by the City of London Corporation has sparked further discussions and debates regarding privacy rights in the digital age. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how authorities and Renew London will address the concerns the City of London Corporation raised.

This includes evaluating the compliance of smart bins with data protection regulations and assessing whether adjustments need to be made to protect individuals' privacy rights. The outcome of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for the future use of smart bins and their impact on personal privacy in public spaces.