Citizen buy-in is key to effective city surveillance

Subject

City surveillance.

Significance

Cities worldwide are embracing surveillance technologies to reduce crime and increase public safety, but their effectiveness varies. Beyond the physical and technological limitations of such tools, much depends on how such systems are deployed.

Impacts

• Vendors and systems integrators who demonstrate consistent effectiveness of their surveillance systems will enjoy a competitive advantage.
• Projects approved by city governments rather than regional or national authorities generate more citizen buy-in.
• Developing-world cities will also see rising citizen pushback on surveillance technologies.