Seattle City Council reviews digital kiosk program ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Seattle's Governance, Accountability, and Economic Development Committee convened on June 12, 2025, to discuss a pivotal council bill aimed at launching a citywide digital kiosk program. This initiative, backed by Visit Seattle and the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), seeks to enhance the visitor experience in a city that welcomed 40 million tourists in 2024, generating significant economic benefits.

Michael Woody, representing Visit Seattle, emphasized the importance of the kiosks as a strategic investment to support tourism growth. He highlighted that these multilingual kiosks would provide real-time information on local attractions, transit access, and public alerts, making Seattle more navigable for visitors. With the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to draw over 750,000 attendees, the timing for this investment is seen as crucial.

John Scholes from the DSA echoed this sentiment, noting broad support from various community organizations and stakeholders. He pointed out that the program has undergone extensive review, including traffic and aesthetic studies, ensuring that it meets community needs and expectations.

However, the proposal faced criticism from some public commenters. Cynthia Spies argued that the kiosks would serve primarily as billboards, detracting from Seattle's aesthetic and offering minimal utility. She raised concerns about privacy and the potential for surveillance, urging the council to consider the implications of such technology on residents and visitors alike.

Alberto Alvarez and David Haines also voiced their opposition, linking the kiosks to broader issues of public safety and government accountability. They expressed skepticism about the council's commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable communities and criticized the potential for the kiosks to contribute to mass surveillance.

The committee meeting concluded with a call for a vote on the ordinance, which would grant the DSA permission to install and operate the kiosks in designated public areas. The outcome of this vote will determine whether Seattle moves forward with this ambitious plan to enhance its tourism infrastructure while balancing community concerns about privacy and public safety. As the city prepares for significant global events, the decision on the kiosks will play a critical role in shaping Seattle's image and visitor experience in the coming years.