Smart-Washing the City: A Study on the Privatization of Urban Digital Infrastructures in the Global South

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, various approaches to urban intelligence have emerged, with significant critical work examining smart cities and data extractivism. Yet, there has been relatively limited research into the socio-political impacts of the smart city agenda, particularly concerning digital rights, digital infrastructure privatization, and the right to the city in the Global South. In Latin America, civil society organizations and investigative journalism have been instrumental in highlighting concerns related to surveillance, privacy, and data protection. This article analyzes what we call the “smart-washing” of digital infrastructures in Brazilian cities, leading to increased privatization of urban services and the indiscriminate, technosolutionist use of artificial intelligence. This process occurs under the guise of a corporate-led smart city agenda despite existing regulatory frameworks safeguarding digital rights or public interest advocacy. The Brazilian case holds relevance for the global community, as it affects issues of communication, digital infrastructure, and fundamental rights.