Fifth-generation wireless technology (5G) is being marketed as a faster, more reliable network for streaming and communication. What is not being discussed is how 5G enables the real-time surveillance infrastructure necessary for smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things — all of which depend on constant data collection.
The European Parliament Research Service has warned about 5G’s unique risks: “The recent academic literature illustrates that continuous wireless radiation seems to have biological effects especially considering the particular characteristics of 5G: the combination of MMW, a higher frequency, the quantity of transmitters and the quantity of connections.”
“5G will lead to higher frequencies. However, the effects of these have not yet been well researched. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection advises a prudent expansion of 5G.” — German Federal Office for Radiation Protection
Beyond health concerns, 5G’s dense network of small-cell transmitters creates a tracking grid of unprecedented precision. Combined with facial recognition cameras and digital ID systems, 5G enables the real-time monitoring of populations at a scale previously unimaginable.
The smart city of the future may be efficient — but it will also be a panopticon where every movement, transaction, and interaction is logged, analyzed, and potentially restricted.
