Reston Town Center's Parking App Raises Privacy Fears

RESTON, VA — It's not just the end of free parking at Reston Town Center that has locals upset -- it's also concerns about privacy, as the ParkRTC app requires information like credit card numbers and other personal information that some worry could get stolen. And residents are raising such a stink about it that RTC felt compelled to take to Facebook to at least try to assure them -- without a whole lot of success.

Starting in September, Reston Town Center announced that instead of free parking, visitors will now have to download the ParkRTC app and pay remotely on their phone for parking, costing about $2 per hour. Most weren't happy about this change and pledged to go elsewhere, mostly because of the end of free parking -- but some also complained about the fact that either they didn't have a smartphone or didn't want to hand over private information.

In an Aug. 12 post, Reston Town Center said that the security of users' information "is critically important to both Passport Inc and RTC," and pledged to safeguard that information.

"Passport conducts regular audits of their information security systems to ensure that there are no vulnerabilities," the statement reads. "Passport also holds compliance with PCI DSS Level 1 certification-- the most stringent data security framework administered by the PCI Security Standards Council. You can verify Passport's ongoing compliance with this standard by checking the Visa or Mastercard Merchant Registries."

RTC also promised not to sell or distributed user information from ParkRTC to third parties.

Still, it didn't do much to assuage the concerns of some residents. Richard Colato complained in the comments section that not everyone has debit cards, credit cards or cell phones. RTC responded by saying that visitors can pay with cash at one of four pay-on-foot machines near the garages.

And some still had questions for RTC with regards to privacy.

"So why does the app reportedly require access to so much private information?" wrote Susan Berger. "And while we're at it, why won't there be a kiosk in every garage? PS I'm of the opinion that every business (retail/entertainment/food and office-based employer) that survives to the end of its lease will move out. So all this will be moot."

Of course, the end of free parking remained the bigger issue. The comment section quickly devolved into gripes about the change and promises to stop patronizing RTC restaurants and shops.

Sandy Bishop: "I agree with one of the other posters about missing the point. I am not going to download an ap to pay for parking. I am unlikely to stop in for a quick happy hour on weekdays or lunch during the week. Even Shirlington which is much more urban has free evenings. They are better ways to keep commuters from using the lots for free."

Katie Dean: "Seems nobody's a fan of having to pay for parking! Small fees but totally unnecessary and yes, corporate greed. I read something recently where a local pointed out that Tyson's still offers free parking, so much for the excuse of preventing Metro commuters."

Kathy Martin: "There is nothing at RTC I can't get somewhere else with free parking. I just ate there yesterday as a last hurrah. The weekends will be crazy now so no point in going then either."