The American Civil Liberties Union is calling for more public dialogue and participation in a smart city program that would use sensors along sidewalks and city streets in Boston next year, StateScoop reports. Beta Blocks, a program that focuses on piloting technology from startups and civic technologists using public infrastructure, is spearheading the internet-of-things effort. The ACLU’s Kade Crockford said that it should be up to the public whether they want their neighborhood to participate or not, particularly as some of the technologies may collect data on people without their consent. In a letter to the city council, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said a citizen advisory council would be created to monitor implementation and that the city would seek public input to decide where the technology would reside. 
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