But peel back the glossy veneer, and you'll find that these so-called smart initiatives are often just a new way to nickel-and-dime residents. Let's take a tour through the cityscape of this digital pickpocketing.

A costly clean air measure
First stop, the U.K., where the government's Ultra Low Emission Zones have become the bane of anyone driving a car older than yesterday's news. London's ULEZ charges drivers of older vehicles a hefty £12.50 (~ $16) daily fee for the privilege of entering certain areas. The idea is to cut down on pollution. Noble, right? But the execution feels more like a tax on the poor. Those who can't afford or are skeptical of the latest eco-chic ride end up emptying their pockets to pay for what is, in effect, a green tax dressed in sustainability's clothing.

According to London's mayor, 78% of London's poorest cannot afford to drive, and for those considering it, the ULEZ fee adds another daunting barrier to entry. Aspiring drivers must weigh not just the costs of a car, insurance, taxes, upkeep, and fuel but also whether they can afford the daily fee — or stretch their budget to purchase the modern vehicles that are exempt.

Trash tactics: Fort Worth's revenue racket
Having witnessed how London's ULEZ policy subtly extracts pounds from the pockets of those least able to afford it, we turn our sights to a seemingly unrelated issue across the Atlantic. In Fort Worth, Texas — where Big Brother rides shotgun in the city's garbage trucks.

These trucks are decked out with cameras, eager to issue fines like a meter maid on commission. Is your trash lid sticking up? That'll be a fine, thank you very much. Have an extra bag this week? Money, please.