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Singapore, City of Sensors

They’re on buses, atop buildings, in parks, and inside drains as part of the island’s vision to become the world’s first “Smart Nation.” But what do they mean for privacy?
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Office workers cross a street during lunch hour in the central business district in Singapore.
Office workers cross a street during lunch hour in the central business district in Singapore. Edgar Su/Reuters

This post is part of a CityLab series on open secrets—stories about what’s hiding in plain sight.

Armed with a deep pool of tech entrepreneurs and startups—not to mention a government that’s eager to make the most use out of them—the island-nation of Singapore offers a wealth of urban innovation.