Data collecting technology, as technologist and urbanist Jonathan Pichot puts it, is deeply embedded into our environment. From CCTV to newer technologies that use facial recognition in public places, the existence and use of these technologies are often present in uncharted territories, bringing about a sense of mistrust in the public view. Who’s on the other end listening? Are our faces captured and collected, if so, how many times? Have they been used for something and for what purpose?
As a way to find tangible solutions to these issues and create a better public trust, together with Helpful Places, Pichot is currently working on an open-source visual language called Digital Trust for Places and Routines (DTPR). The project aims to increase transparency, legibility, and accountability of data collecting technologies. Using user research combined with the science of classification (taxonomy), clear signage guidelines transpired – for example, hexagons to represent who’s accountable or circles to designate the data type.

”It creates a shared language amongst the public sector, the media, the citizens, even amongst or within a local government to talk about the technology, to reason about the pros and cons.” states Jonathan.

With projects that took place at Sydney Olympic Park during the Women’s World Cup to another one in Angers, France, signages were used to explain why a specific piece of technology is present. Would we feel more at ease in the public sphere, should such information be more present in our surroundings? Does this convey a sense of transparency and trust?

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