Customer Experience

Smart City kiosks face opposition in Berkeley

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July 11, 2022

Advertisements on Smart City kiosks has prompted objections from city council member Sophie Hahn, who represents two Berkeley, California shopping districts, and some residents, according to a Berkeleyside report.

Attendees at a virtual forum voiced opposition to the kiosks, calling them eyesores and raising concerns about the data the kiosks would collect from passersby and people using the kiosks.

Smart City installed nine kiosks in Berkeley last year and wants to install another 17 next year.

Berkeley received an estimate in 2018 at $27,000 per device per year. The city would receive about $830,000 annually if it installs a total of 31 according to the 2018 agreement.

A decision is expected in the fall.