Montreal police have discreetly expanded their utilization of AI-driven technology for monitoring vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy rights among the public.
Recently, a sophisticated camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was discovered by a Radio-Canada journalist on a lamppost in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 produced by Genetec, a Montreal-based company, was promptly removed following media coverage.
Unlike the contentious Flock Safety cameras widely deployed in the United States, Genetec’s system goes beyond merely scanning license plates. It can also record and retain specific vehicle details such as color, make, and model, as per information provided on the company’s website.
While Flock cameras in the U.S. share data in a central database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies, Genetec’s system manages collected information internally, according to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger. He emphasized that access to captured images is restricted to investigators overseeing the relevant cases.
The SPVM justifies the secrecy surrounding its technological tools as necessary to safeguard ongoing investigative strategies. However, critics argue that the rollout of new technology lacks transparency.
Dominique Peschard from the Ligue des droits et libertés, a Quebec human rights organization, stressed the importance of police informing the public about the tools being used without compromising operational effectiveness.
The deployment of Cloudrunner cameras is part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI-driven solutions, including the iMotion ROC AI software by Rank One Computing. The SPVM clarified that while the software aids investigators in analyzing large volumes of video data, it does not employ facial recognition or biometric features.
Internal documents obtained by CBC News reveal that the SPVM’s privacy impact assessment acknowledges civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including potential unwarranted scrutiny of innocent individuals and the risk of discrimination based on observable social characteristics.
The admission about the Cloudrunner camera came after initial confusion within the Montreal police force, with Chief Fady Dagher eventually confirming its use for targeting armed violence and vehicle thefts.
Despite the discovery and removal of one camera, the SPVM indicated the possibility of adding more cameras based on the requirements of ongoing investigations.
Andrew Elvish, vice-president at Genetec, emphasized that their technology prioritizes privacy and ensures accountability in handling gathered data. He highlighted the importance of balancing privacy concerns with community safety needs.
As debates on surveillance technologies continue, legal experts like Jean-François Latreille stress the importance of strict regulation to prevent the erosion of individual privacy in public spaces.