Understanding Data Collection in Long Beach: A Community Perspective
In early March, a group of residents gathered outside the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library in Long Beach, California, braving the steady rain with umbrellas in hand and smartphones at the ready. Their mission? To embark on a "data walk" through their city, exploring various technologies that collect personal information and understanding the implications of this data collection. This initiative highlights a growing concern: how much does your city really know about you?
The Ubiquity of Data Collection
On any given day in Long Beach, residents encounter a plethora of technologies designed to collect personal data. Some of these technologies are overt, while others operate quietly in the background. For instance, police patrol cars are equipped with license plate scanners, while traffic cameras monitor vehicle flow at intersections. Smart water meters track water usage, and beachgoers must enter their license plate and credit card information into a mobile app for parking. Even shopping experiences are not immune; a parking structure at the city’s newest outdoor mall can monitor how long a vehicle has been parked and whether payment is required.
This data collection is just a glimpse into the broader landscape of how local governments across California—and indeed, the nation—are gathering personal information from their residents.
The Importance of Transparency
Gwen Shaffer, a professor at Cal State Long Beach, is leading the charge to increase awareness and transparency regarding data collection in Long Beach. During the data walk, she posed a critical question to participants: Are the services provided by the city worth the trade-off in data privacy? The responses were mixed, with many residents expressing uncertainty about the technologies in use and their implications for privacy.
One participant, 72-year-old Genevieve Vigil, emphasized the need for more information to foster acceptance of these technologies. "That’s a hard question for me to answer if I’m not aware of what technology the city is in fact utilizing," she remarked. This sentiment underscores the necessity for transparency in how data is collected and used.
The Digital Rights Platform
In response to these concerns, Long Beach has launched a digital rights platform, funded by a National Science Foundation grant. This initiative aims to provide residents with clear information about the technologies deployed by the city that collect personally identifiable information. Each technology is accompanied by a sign featuring a QR code, directing residents to an online platform where they can learn about data storage, usage, retention periods, and whether the data is shared or encrypted.
"The whole project is about transparency," Shaffer stated. "When the city is using data for certain purposes, they want to make sure residents understand those uses." This initiative not only informs residents but also empowers them to engage with the technologies that impact their lives.
A Model for Other Cities
Ryan Kurtzman, the technology partnerships officer for Long Beach, hopes that this initiative will serve as a model for other cities in California and beyond. Similar efforts have been observed in cities like Boston and Washington, D.C., as well as in countries like Canada, Australia, and France. "We’ve known from the beginning that data privacy is something our residents are concerned about," Kurtzman explained. "It’s our responsibility as city government to ensure transparency about the data being collected, how it’s shared, and how it’s protected."
Navigating Data Privacy Laws
Unlike the European Union, which has comprehensive data privacy regulations, the United States lacks a unified framework governing personal data collection by government entities. However, California has taken significant steps in this direction with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), which establish strict data privacy standards for businesses. These laws grant Californians rights regarding their personal information, including the right to know how their data is used and the right to delete it.
While these laws primarily apply to businesses, the digital rights platform in Long Beach aims to align the city’s practices with the spirit of these regulations. Advocates from organizations like the Center for Democracy and Technology are pushing for public agencies to provide community members with input and choices regarding data collection.
The Residents’ Experience
During the data walk, participants examined various technologies, starting with the self-checkout kiosk at the library. This technology, designed to streamline library services, encrypts data and does not store it indefinitely. Many residents expressed comfort with such technologies. However, as the group ventured outside, they encountered more complex systems, such as the security camera at MacArthur Park, which raised concerns among participants.
Vigil voiced her unease about the surveillance capabilities of the camera, which can capture high-resolution images and video. "The surveillance that’s in the park, it’s stored indefinitely, and it’s assumed that there will always be good actors handling that information," she cautioned. This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety about the potential misuse of data collected by government entities.
Looking Ahead: A Privacy Assistant App
Researchers are seeking additional funding to develop a privacy assistant mobile app that would allow residents to set their privacy preferences when interacting with city-operated technologies. If successful, this app could enable residents to opt out of certain data collection practices and customize how often they receive notifications about smart technologies in their vicinity.
"We want to show this is a way for cities to boost trust among their residents," Kurtzman said. "I believe that cities have a responsibility to be open and honest about the technologies they are using."
Conclusion
As cities like Long Beach navigate the complexities of data collection and privacy, initiatives like the digital rights platform represent a crucial step toward transparency and accountability. By engaging residents in discussions about data usage and empowering them with information, local governments can foster trust and ensure that technological advancements serve the community’s best interests. In an age where data is increasingly seen as a valuable commodity, understanding how it is collected, stored, and used is more important than ever.