Google's 'secret' smart city on Toronto's waterfront sparks row

Re:Google's 'secret' smart city on Toronto's waterfront spar... by s4vi0r on Saturday March 24, 2018 @08:39AM (#16666308)

If this really becomes a thing, I'm gonna be staying away from any sections of the city that have any Google crap built, or just altogether moving if it gets bad enough.

Given who this is, and the shit they pulled in NYC with the kiosks, I don't trust them for one second to be doing this for any reason other than to enable broader surveillance/data collection using cameras, microphones, etc. in public spaces. All Google is interested in is collecting more data so that they can build better systems to collect more data with and shove ads down your throat + sell your information to the highest bidder.

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Re:Google's 'secret' smart city on Toronto's waterfront spar... by goliatone on Saturday March 24, 2018 @08:53AM (#16666359)

I’m very curious to learn more about the shot they pulled with the kiosks in New York. Could you elaborate?

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Re:Google's 'secret' smart city on Toronto's waterfront spar... by nashashmi on Saturday March 24, 2018 @09:53AM (#16666585)

First to clarify is that Google is not doing this. Alphabet is. Second is that Alphabet owns Sidewalk Labs which is the company imagining this city. Sidewalk labs owns Intersection, a billboard advertising company. Intersection is the chief bidder behind LinkNYC. LinkNYC is installing free WiFi display stands across NYC.

The rest of the shot can be explained by someone else as I am not very passionate about the issue.

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Re:Google's 'secret' smart city on Toronto's waterfront spar... by emilfihlman on Saturday March 24, 2018 @10:34AM (#16666766)

Saying that Google is not doing this is disingenuous.

Google is a term used for the conglomerate of Google, which includes Alphabet and due to bureaucracy it's also the "official name" of Google.

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Re:Google's 'secret' smart city on Toronto's waterfront spar... by nashashmi on Saturday March 24, 2018 @10:45AM (#16666814)

Fair enough. But sidewalk labs was most definitely a fringe venture that should not be associated with the smaller Google.

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Re:Google's 'secret' smart city on Toronto's waterfront spar... by astrodust on Saturday March 24, 2018 @06:57PM (#16669531)

Stop being pedantic. It's Google.

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