The waterfront project has been scrutinized by privacy experts, who have raised concerns about the company's plan to collect data via sensors that monitor energy usage, noise, traffic, and pollution.
Experts say there is a need for safeguards that allow people to opt out of having their data be commodified. Sidewalk Labs says it wants to use data on how Quayside works to help make the neighborhood function better.
A board member of Waterfront Toronto resigned instead of signing the most recent deal, citing "numerous unanswered questions" about digital privacy and governance as part of her decision.
According to the current deal, Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto will come up with a final plan in 2019, though they can still opt out of it.