Can signage build trust in how cities use technology and data?

This article discusses the changing perception of the term "smart city" and the concerns raised by city officials and residents about its lack of specificity and association with surveillance. The focus is on the town of Innisfil, Canada, where officials prefer the term "insightful city." They aim to use technology, particularly the Internet of Things, to gather data and employ analytics to improve the quality of life while safeguarding privacy. The article mentions a recent trial of new signage in Innisfil and other cities, which deploy data-gathering technology for various purposes, including transport management, public safety, and environmental improvements. However, residents and community groups often have concerns about privacy and how public money is used for these technologies. To address these issues and improve transparency, the Digital Trust for Places and Routines (DTPR) open-source communication standard is introduced as a way to provide a consistent visual language and feedback mechanism about technology in public spaces.

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