Montreal police have been discreetly expanding their utilization of AI-driven technology to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy rights.
Recently, a high-tech camera capable of scanning and identifying vehicles was discovered on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. Manufactured by Genetec, a Montreal-based company, the camera, known as Cloudrunner CR-H2, was promptly removed after being highlighted in a Radio-Canada article.
Unlike the controversial Flock Safety cameras in the United States, the Genetec system not only scans license plates but also records specific vehicle details such as color, make, and model. The collected information is managed internally by Genetec’s operator, unlike the U.S. system, which shares data across multiple police forces.
While the Montreal police claim that access to the captured images is restricted to investigators handling relevant cases, privacy advocates argue for more transparency in the adoption of new technologies without compromising investigative procedures.
The SPVM has confirmed using iMotion ROC AI software from Rank One Computing to assist investigators in analyzing extensive video footage. The software does not employ facial recognition or biometric features, as clarified by SPVM spokesperson Anik de Repentigny. The system operates offline within a closed network, analyzing footage from urban security cameras and private surveillance videos collected with consent or warrants.
An internal privacy impact assessment by the SPVM acknowledges civil liberties risks associated with the technology, emphasizing the potential for innocent individuals to be investigated and the risk of discrimination based on visible characteristics. Despite assurances that the software is configured to search for objects rather than identifiable traits like ethnicity, concerns about oversight and privacy persist.
The revelation of the Cloudrunner camera and the SPVM’s AI initiatives have raised questions about the lack of oversight and the need for transparency in deploying such technologies. Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher’s initial lack of awareness about the device further underscores the importance of supervisory protocols and protecting individuals’ private information.
While a contract with Genetec for Cloudrunner units was awarded last October, with only one camera spotted and removed, the SPVM indicates potential additions based on investigative needs. Genetec’s vice-president emphasizes privacy considerations and data accountability, highlighting the balance between community safety and privacy trade-offs.
Montreal’s approach to surveillance technologies, including the proposed security camera registry championed by Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, aligns with the mandates set by the Commission d’accès à l’information in Quebec, emphasizing the necessity of targeted problem-solving and legitimate objectives in video surveillance by public bodies.
Legal experts stress the importance of stringent restrictions on the use of such tools to prevent privacy infringements, emphasizing the critical need for individual control over privacy, particularly in public spaces.