What Toronto can learn from Barcelona on data and smart city projects - Toronto Star

Donovan Vincent
Sunday 2nd June 2019

Barcelona’s chief technology and digital innovation officer believes the protection of personal data is a “fundamental right” for citizens. Francesca Bria, who is the city’s top expert and adviser on policies related to technology, information and digital strategies, is a leading proponent in Europe of “data sovereignty” — ensuring that citizens, rather than big tech, get to control the way their data and the data collected in public spaces is used. “Here (in Barcelona) citizens are very aware that data protection means their autonomy. Data protection means their collective ability to use data to create public value,” she said in a phone interview from Barcelona.

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