Sidewalk Labs document reveals company’s early plans for data collection, tax powers, criminal justice

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Sidewalk Labs document reveals company’s early plans for data collection, tax powers, criminal justice GlobeBusiness

The Sidewalk Labs office in Toronto includes models of the proposed Quayside project. An internal document from 2016 shows Sidewalk's early plans for data collection and taxation powers.A confidential Sidewalk Labs document from 2016 lays out the founding vision of the Google-affiliated development company, which included having the power to levy its own property taxes, track and predict people’s movements and control some public services.

Sidewalk Labs was announced as a Google sister company in June 2015, with considerable enthusiasm from Google co-founder Larry Page, and is run by former New York City deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff. To carry out its vision and planned services, the book states Sidewalk wanted to control its area much like Disney World does in Florida, where in the 1960s it “persuaded the legislature of the need for extraordinary exceptions.” This could include granting Sidewalk taxation powers. “Sidewalk will require tax and financing authority to finance and provide services, including the ability to impose, capture and reinvest property taxes,” the book said.

According to the document, personalization would increase as users contributed more data, leading to"more complete or personalized services from Project Sidewalk in return.” An example states that people choosing to share “in-home fire safety sensor” data could receive advice on health and safety related to air quality, or provide additional information to first responders in case of an emergency.

 

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