Work

Mobile devices as stigmatizing security sensors: the GDPR and a future of crowdsourced ‘broken windows’

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: ... Nobody wants to live in a bad neighbourhood but, alas, some of us do. It is inevitable: where there are ‘better’ neighbourhoods, there must also be neighbourhoods which are deemed to be poor, unsafe, or even dangerous. However, such perceptions can change over time: some neighbourhoods ‘improve’ through the efforts of city councils, investors, and inhabitants; whereas others slowly become dilapidated for various reasons. It is generally very difficult to assess the quality of a neighbourhood. Such ‘verdicts’ are mostly based on one or several personal opinion(s). But what if socially constructed views are aggregated into datasets that are immune from the wear and tear of time? On the one hand, there could be a more accurate, evidence-based view on local conditions. On the other hand, inhabitants and local businesses could become trapped in stigmas based on datasets outside of their control. Does such data merely reflect a social situation in a public space, or does it amount to personal data? This question merits attention as companies and local governments are starting to collect, store, analyse, and publicize such data, specifically related to feelings of fear and insecurity.

Source: International Data Privacy Law

DOI: 10.1093/idpl/ipx024

Authors: Oskar Josef Gstrein, Gerard Jan Ritsema van Eck

Institution: University of Groningen

Language: English

Topic: Digitalization, Law, and Regulation

Subfield: Law

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,850