Connected technologies and always-on data flows are helping make today’s cities and communities more livable, productive, and sustainable. At the same time, these technologies raise concerns about individual privacy, freedom of choice, and institutional discrimination. How do we leverage the benefits of a data-rich society while giving members of our community the confidence of knowing their privacy is protected? How can we address pressing local problems — from housing to highways, potholes to policing — and deliver public services in equitable, privacy-conscious ways?
Working collaboratively with public, private, academic, and civil society leaders, FPF builds tools and best practices to guide how cities and local communities collect, manage, and use personal data to improve services for individuals. A cornerstone of this work is FPF’s Civic Privacy Leaders Network, a peer network supported by the National Science Foundation that brings together privacy leaders from 30+ local governments across the U.S. and Canada to navigate emerging privacy issues, share practical guidance, and promote fair and transparent data practices.
Visit the Smart Communities Resources web page for a comprehensive list of FPF’s ongoing work in this area.
FPF Launches Infographics in Chinese
As FPF’s work expands to include an international audience, we are pleased to relaunch FPF’s popular infographics in various languages. Because conversations around data protection have become more global, the need for high-quality information and new forms of communication in different languages continues to increase. The infographics translation project aims to help FPF provide a […]
Privacy Best Practices for Rideshare Drivers Using Dashcams
FPF & Uber Publish Guide Highlighting Privacy Best Practices for Drivers who Record Video and Audio on Rideshare Journeys FPF and Uber have created a guide for US-based rideshare drivers who install “dashcams” – video cameras mounted on a vehicle’s dashboard or windshield. Many drivers install dashcams to improve safety, security, and accountability; the cameras […]
FPF and Mobility Data Collaborative Release Resources to Help Organizations Assess the Privacy Risks of Sharing of Mobility Data
The Mobility Data Sharing Assessment was developed by Chelsey Colbert and Kelsey Finch. The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and SAE’s Mobility Data Collaborative (MDC) have created a transportation-tailored privacy assessment that provides practical and operational guidance to organizations that share mobility data, such as data from the use of ride-hailing services, e-scooters, or bike-sharing […]
UPDATE: China’s Car Privacy and Security Regulation is Effective on October 1, 2021
On August 20, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released an updated regulation on car privacy and data security that comes into force on October 1, 2021.
China: New Draft Car Privacy and Security Regulation is Open for Public Consultation
by Chelsey Colbert The author thanks Hunter Dorwart for his contribution to this text. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released a draft regulation on car privacy and data security on May 12, 2021. China has been very active in automated vehicle development and deployment and has also proposed last fall a draft comprehensive privacy […]
Privacy Impact Assessment Policies Help Cities Use and Share Data Responsibly with their Communities
As the world urbanizes, local governments are turning to “Smart City” initiatives and the data they generate to more effectively manage transportation systems, support real-time infrastructure maintenance, automatically administer public services, enable transparent governance and open data, and support emergency services in public areas. Data held by public and private organizations have the potential to […]
EDPB Draft Guidelines on Connected Cars Focus on Data Protection by Design and Push for Consent
By Gabriela Zanfir-Fortuna and Chelsey Colbert The European Data Protection Board recently published its draft Guidelines 1/2020 on processing personal data in the context of connected vehicles and mobility related applications, which are open for feedback until March 20. The EDPB writes that the main challenge for complying with European data protection and privacy laws […]
Civic Data Privacy Leaders Convene at MetroLab Annual Summit
By Kelsey Finch, FPF Senior Counsel The MetroLab Network’s Annual Summit brought together an inspired group of civic, academic, industry, and nonprofit leaders to discuss the most important issues in smart cities and civic innovation. For the third year in a row, FPF partnered with MetroLab Network to promote data privacy perspectives and to advance responsible […]
Sidewalk Labs Releases Detailed Plans for Collaboration with City of Toronto on Quayside Smart City Project, Including Proposed Privacy and Data Protection Framework
By: Suzie Allen Experts Highlight Data Protection Safeguards, Opportunities, and Risks “Master Innovation and Development Plan” will be Vetted by City Residents, Officials Last week, Sidewalk Labs unveiled its proposed “Master Innovation and Development Plan” (MIDP) for Sidewalk Toronto, a project that would design a smart city district in Toronto’s Eastern Waterfront. The proposal will […]
California’s AB-1395 Highlights the Challenges of Regulating Voice Recognition
Under the radar of ongoing debates over the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the California Senate Judiciary Committee will also soon be considering, at a July 9th hearing, an unusual sectoral privacy bill regulating “smart speakers.” AB-1395 would amend California’s existing laws to add new restrictions for “smart speaker devices,” defined as standalone devices “with […]