Lancaster homes bowmanville . We need to build a high-tech community here in Toronto. According to a study on the lakeside of Toronto, residents interviewed about Google’s sister company Sidewalk Labs’s plan to develop a high-tech-led community there have conditionally accepted the idea to the extent that some people feel distrustful of the company.
According to the Toronto Star, the Toronto Lakeshore report is based on views collected by more than 1,000 residents attending a public consultation meeting in July. Sidewalk Labs released a more than 1500-page document this spring explaining the development plan on the east side of the lakeside. The project, which is subject to approval by Toronto Lakeside Corporation (Waterfront Toronto), a three-tier government partner, includes a high-tech-based area such as bicycles, automatic snowmelt roads and sensors to collect public information.
The project runs along the pier lakefront, between Queen’s Pier East and Capitol Street (Queens Quay E. / Parliament St.) 12 acres of land. Sidewalk Labs carries out a multi-purpose project, including the construction of buildings with timber. The two sides set to resolve the problem by October 31, including the earlier proposal to build a light rail line at the lakeside, but the Toronto Lakeshore Company said it was unable to make a commitment.
The public consultation includes four public meetings, seven consultation booths at the Toronto Public Library, and letters or online submissions. The report pointed out that participants at each meeting provided ideas on the plan, such as climate response and sustainable development, which would help promote transport projects, create new jobs, tax revenue and affordable housing, and have the opportunity to create a digital management framework that leads the world.
Doubts and questions were raised at the meeting, including concerns about collecting data in the community, monitoring and not being able to obtain permission from the public, the report said. A number of attendees expressed doubts about Sidewalk Labs’s plan and believed that its project would be extended to areas outside the docks. If the company can prove the success of its lakeside project, it intends to expand to port land.
In addition, the report said participants showed a lack of trust in Sidewalk Labs, Google and parent company Alphabet, pointing to a lack of transparency in their operations in other cities. Sidewalk Labs did not directly participate in the consultation, only sent representatives to observe at the scene. Andrew Tumilty, a spokesman for Toronto Lakeside, said in a statement that concerns about these basic issues need to be addressed before a comprehensive assessment is conducted, and that the response received during the public consultation is the focus of public concern.
Regarding the development of the lakeside area of Queen’s Pier in Toronto by Sidewalk Labs, the Privacy Commissioner of Ontario expressed concern about the collection of personal data there and urged the Government to update the Privacy Ordinance. Sometimes commentators think that the provincial government should review the existing legislation and strengthen regulatory measures to prevent abuse of privacy.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Google sister company Sidewalk Labs is responsible for developing parts of Toronto’s lakeside into a high-tech area, proposing the establishment of an independent urban data trust to monitor collected data and other privacy measures.
Ontario Privacy Commissioner Brian Beamish wrote to Toronto Lakeside Company (Waterfront Toronto), pointing out that Sidewalk Labs data management recommendations lack independent public oversight, overlap with existing regulators, and do not have sufficient experience to play the role of serving the public in the city of Toronto.
Bemis said the provincial government should take this opportunity to update its privacy and personal data laws instead of relying on Sidewalk Labs for leadership. Sidewalk Labs spokesman Keerthana Rang said in a statement that the company supports discussions about privacy and personal data.
Huang Yan Huanqing, a commentator and family lawyer, said that due to the rapid development of information, many people, such as she had experienced the use of personal privacy under unknown circumstances, often received phone calls and e-mails from unknown sources, which was tiresome. It is understood that many companies use these personal data to sell to third parties for a profit, and it is even less clear how they will use them afterwards, and personal privacy is not protected. She believes that it is unknown what the purpose of Sidewalk Labs is and how to use it to collect information about the public in the development of high-tech areas. If it is for profit, the Government should stop it. If the company wants to understand people’s spending habits, it should obtain it from other commercial organizations, rather than collecting and using it on its own.
The provincial government should conduct a comprehensive review of the privacy legislation, strengthen regulatory measures and protect the rights and interests of the people, and should not allow third parties to use personal data casually. The Government should not only look at the employment and tax revenue brought about by this development, but give priority to the interests of the people of the province.
