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From the Publisher

PRIVACY IN BUILDINGS

IS CHINA TECHNOLOGY SHOWING US

THE FUTURE?

Privacy is a complex subject, especially
considering how fast technology is changing

and the different geopolitical positions that
exist around the world.

THE GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR) positions that exist around the world. These positions
was the first formal “shot across the bow” relating to range from no digital privacy in China, which has an
consumer digital privacy. This law was brought forward by aggressive, comprehensive data collection program, to
the European Union in 2016 and takes very specific steps San Francisco, a city that recently banned the use of facial
to protect citizens in Europe from the malicious collection, recognition technologies by its police department. This
analysis and use of consumer data. The law impacts not issue is further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,
only people living in Europe but anyone doing business where new health-related technologies are quickly
with someone in the European Union. It is important to implemented without caution and protection. Fast adoption
note that this regulation examines not only traditional data in the face of fear means no one, including the government,
found in information systems, but also new forms of data is really thinking it through. This lack of oversight in the
such as human biometric information collected via video interest of speed can hurt our privacy rights.
cameras and analyzed by facial recognition software.
We have been writing about privacy and the built
The issue of privacy has moved to a new level, especially environment for over a decade and have hosted
in California. The California Consumer Privacy Act informative breakout sessions on the topic at the annual
(CCPA), which went into effect in January 2020, shines Realcomm | IBcon events since 2017; we have seen the
an even brighter light on the rising importance of the momentum and interest grow each year. The arrival of
topic. As the first major legislation by a state, many the truly “connected building” expanded the conversation,
industry observers believe that California will set the as we discuss and debate the idea of connecting every
stage and pace for the future privacy discussion in the electromechanical device onto a base building network
United States. Privacy was also a central theme at the that is IP-centric and ultimately connected to the
2020 Consumer Electronics show, given the increased cloud. This hyper-connectivity results in extraordinary
number of connected consumer products. The fact that management of energy, increased efficiency in
this topic was recognized at one of the world’s largest operations, meeting sustainability objectives, new and
consumer electronics showcases is yet another indication enhanced occupant experiences and increased financial
that privacy is a becoming a priority in consumer optimization of the asset. However, it opens a multitude
consciousness. of questions and issues concerning privacy.

Privacy is a complex subject, especially considering how A simple example of this connectivity would be a
fast technology is changing and the different geopolitical new light fixture in a boardroom, equipped with a

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