Unsurprisingly, this technology, and presumably utilizing the surveillance to find any reason for eviction, is being applied to poor people. You rarely find this being rolled out in luxury apartments. Let's be honest here, poor people are stereotyped as being lazy, sneaky, untrustworthy, and stupid, so they have to be subjective to a more paternalism.
While I mostly agree with your comment, I think that what the landlords are really worried about is poor tenants exploiting the price arbitrage opportunity that presents itself to them, though it may be a violation of their leases.
If anything it's the poors' cleverness that is threatening. If you read through the website of the management company mentioned here, they brag that they have been a force in shaping rent stabilized housing policy. They likely set those policies up to ensure a steady rate of return from the state, in return for stabilized rent for tenants.
Now consider that in the context of the corrupt, borderline criminal history of the NYC real estate development industry, who've not wasted any opportunity to cheat on taxes by undervaluing their assets, among other financial crimes.
Only the wealthy are allowed to play games with finance.
I thought it's not uncommon for luxury NYC apartment buildings to have a 24hr concierge / lobby attendant who's main task is to keep strangers out. (In Hong Kong this is pretty much the norm in all residential buildings, upscale or cheap government subsidized ones alike.)
When I was a kid and we visited my grandmother in her Chicago high-rise, I was amazed that the concierge recognized and greeted us by name the moment we stepped into the vestibule.
To memorize not only each resident's name and face, but also those of their occasional out-of-town guests, is quite a feat.
Exactly. Rich people like Zuckerberg build high walls around their homes and hide details of their private life, at the same time wanting to know everything about their users or customers.
