The term smart cities refers to the intersection of connected devices (also known as the Internet of Things), big data, the urban environment, and city dwellers. Smart city innovations have been widely lauded for their potential to improve government services and government transparency. Sensor technology creates the potential for congestion pricing, which could make government services more efficient. Access to big data can give policymakers the information they need to improve infrastructure maintenance. However, smart city innovations also carry considerable risk, including expansion of the surveillance state. Risks to citizens rights are greatest when law enforcement agencies use smart city tools. Using a public choice framework, I explore the potential for smart cities to improve urban life and analyze the potential risks these technologies carry to violate citizens rights.