Montreal authorities are discreetly expanding their array of AI-driven tools to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns regarding transparency and privacy protection.
Recently, a high-tech camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was discovered by a journalist from Radio-Canada along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies area. The camera, a Cloudrunner CR-H2 model produced by local company Genetec, was promptly removed after media coverage.
Unlike the contentious Flock Safety cameras in the U.S., Genetec’s system not only reads license plates but also records vehicle specifics like color, make, and model, as stated on the company’s website. The gathered data is managed by its operator, unlike Flock cameras that share information in a centralized database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, access to the captured images is limited to the assigned investigators for specific tasks. The SPVM justifies keeping technological tools confidential to safeguard ongoing investigative strategies.
However, privacy advocates express concerns over the lack of transparency in deploying new technologies. They emphasize the importance of informing the public about the tools being utilized by law enforcement agencies without compromising their operations.
The utilization of Cloudrunner cameras is part of the SPVM’s broader integration of AI technologies. The police force acknowledges using iMotion ROC AI software from Rank One Computing to assist in processing extensive video data, denying the use of facial recognition or biometric capabilities.
The software operates offline on a closed network, analyzing footage from urban security cameras and privately obtained surveillance videos with consent or legal authorization. An internal privacy impact assessment by the SPVM acknowledges potential civil liberties risks posed by the technology.
Montreal’s awarding of a contract with Genetec for Cloudrunner units and the possibility of deploying more cameras in the future indicate a continued emphasis on using advanced technology for law enforcement purposes.
Amidst discussions on privacy and oversight, experts stress the need for stringent controls on the use of such tools to prevent privacy infringements, especially in public spaces. They argue that maintaining control over privacy is crucial to safeguard individual rights in the digital age.