Montreal law enforcement is discreetly expanding its array of AI-driven technologies to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy rights.
A powerful camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was recently discovered by a Radio-Canada journalist on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by Montreal-based company Genetec, was promptly removed after media coverage.
In a departure from the controversial Flock Safety cameras widely used in the United States, Genetec’s system not only scans license plates but also records specific vehicle details like color, make, and model. Unlike Flock cameras that share data in a central database accessible to various police forces, Genetec’s system manages the collected information internally.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, access to the captured images is restricted to investigators working on specific cases. The SPVM justifies the secrecy around its technological tools as essential for safeguarding ongoing investigations.
Despite claims of operational necessity, privacy advocates highlight the lack of transparency surrounding the deployment of new surveillance technologies. Dominique Peschard from the Ligue des droits et libertés emphasized the importance of informing the public about police tools without compromising operational integrity.
The Cloudrunner cameras are part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI-driven technology, including the iMotion ROC AI software by Rank One Computing. While the software aids in video analysis, the SPVM denies using its facial recognition or biometric features, emphasizing its offline operation from external databases.
An internal assessment by the SPVM acknowledges the civil liberties risks associated with the technology, such as the potential surveillance of innocent individuals and discrimination based on visible characteristics. The report suggests that configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits can mitigate discrimination risks.
Following a period of confusion, Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher admitted the SPVM’s use of the Cloudrunner camera for targeting armed violence and vehicle thefts. Public records reveal the city’s contract with Genetec for Cloudrunner units, signaling potential future deployments based on investigative needs.
Genetec’s VP Andrew Elvish assures that privacy is a priority in the technology’s design, with stringent data logging mechanisms in place. The debate continues on the balance between public safety and privacy concerns as Montreal explores advanced surveillance technologies.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada’s proposal for a voluntary security camera registry and Quebec’s Commission d’accès à l’information guidelines underscore the importance of balancing public safety objectives with privacy considerations in surveillance practices.
Legal experts like Jean-François Latreille stress the need for strict controls on the use of surveillance tools to prevent the erosion of individual privacy rights in public spaces.