Montreal police have been expanding their use of AI-driven technology to monitor vehicles and individuals in the city with minimal public disclosure, sparking concerns about privacy rights.
A recent discovery by a Radio-Canada journalist revealed a sophisticated camera, capable of scanning and identifying vehicles, mounted on a lamp post along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 made by Genetec, a local Montreal company, was promptly removed after media coverage.
Unlike the controversial Flock Safety cameras in the U.S., the Genetec system not only reads license plates but also records detailed vehicle attributes such as color, make, and model. The collected data is managed internally by the operator rather than being shared in a central database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, the captured images are strictly used by investigators involved in specific cases. The decision to remove the camera was made to safeguard ongoing investigative techniques, as stated by Bélanger, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining the confidentiality of their technological tools to ensure effective investigations.
Privacy advocates have raised concerns about 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 the operational procedures of such tools to prevent potential infringements on privacy rights.
The SPVM’s adoption of Cloudrunner cameras is part of a broader integration of AI technology. The police force confirmed the use of iMotion ROC AI software from Rank One Computing to assist in analyzing extensive video footage. SPVM spokesperson Anik de Repentigny clarified that the software does not employ facial recognition or biometric features and operates offline within a closed network.
An internal privacy impact assessment highlighted the civil liberties risks associated with the technology, such as the potential investigation of innocent bystanders and discrimination based on visible characteristics. However, measures have been taken to minimize discrimination risks by configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits like ethnicity.
Following a period of confusion, Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher acknowledged the use of the Cloudrunner camera for targeting armed violence and vehicle thefts. The chief emphasized the importance of supervising the introduction of new investigative tools to safeguard privacy and ensure proper protocols are in place.
While only one Cloudrunner camera was observed and removed, the SPVM indicated the possibility of deploying additional cameras based on the requirements of ongoing investigations. Genetec’s vice-president, Andrew Elvish, stressed the technology’s privacy-respecting design and detailed data logging processes to maintain accountability.
In response to inquiries, a City of Montreal spokesperson clarified that they had not installed the Cloudrunner camera and directed questions regarding its deployment to the SPVM. The city’s approach to public safety surveillance has been a topic of discussion, with initiatives such as a proposed voluntary security camera registry advocated by Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada during the previous election campaign.
The use of surveillance tools like Cloudrunner cameras underscores the need for stringent regulations to protect individuals’ privacy rights in public spaces, as highlighted by legal experts specializing in data security and privacy. Failure to establish proper restrictions could compromise individuals’ privacy in public environments.