Cameras are no “easy solution” – practical privacy decision-making in smart cities

Purpose As smart cities are centred around the use of digital technology in the public sphere, questions arise about the protection of privacy and personal data. This study aims to investigate the extent to which smart city managers consider privacy and the protection of personal data in practical decision-making. Design/methodology/approach Using the methodology of “walkshops”, a focus group variety that takes participants for a structured walk/workshop in technology-mediated inner cities, Belgian smart city managers were prompted to discuss their practical approach to public values. Findings Findings show the values of efficiency, (cost-)effectiveness and accountability take precedence over privacy and personal data protection, posing a problem for the legitimacy of smart city interventions. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this qualitative study consist of its small sample size and limited geographical scope, which may have biased responses, as public values and privacy perceptions are culture- and context-specific. More on-the-ground research is warranted in other geographical locations and different urban contexts. On a more fundamental level, further research on public-sector technology governance is needed to clarify conceptually how legitimacy and legitimisation function in this sphere. Practical implications Policymakers must seek broader public value consensus and acknowledge the subjective nature of privacy concerns by including citizens’ voices directly in smart city decision-making. Social implications The disconnect between citizens’ concerns and smart city managers’ priorities can severely impact public trust and acceptance of technological interventions. This is particularly alarming with a view to the introduction of AI technologies in the public sector. Originality/value This study uncovered original empirical insights into managerial decision-making processes and tensions in the priority values between smart city managers and citizens.