Montreal police have been quietly expanding their utilization of AI-driven technologies to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy issues among the public.
Recently, a high-tech camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was 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 produced by Genetec, a Montreal-based company, was promptly removed after Radio-Canada’s coverage.
The Cloudrunner camera, akin to the controversial Flock Safety cameras prevalent in the United States, goes beyond just reading license plates. It can also capture and retain specific vehicle details like color, make, and model, as per information on Genetec’s website.
Unlike the Flock cameras in the U.S., which share data in a central database accessible to various police departments, Genetec’s system operates differently, with the collected data managed by its specific operator.
SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger emphasized that the captured images are solely accessible to the investigators working on the relevant cases. Bélanger mentioned that the camera removal was aimed at safeguarding ongoing investigative strategies.
Privacy advocates have criticized the lack of transparency in introducing new technology, highlighting the importance of keeping the public informed about the tools being used by law enforcement without compromising operational effectiveness.
The deployment of Cloudrunner cameras is part of a broader initiative by the SPVM to incorporate AI technologies into their operations. The SPVM has confirmed the use of iMotion ROC AI software by Rank One Computing to assist investigators in sorting through extensive video footage, specifically denying the utilization of facial recognition or biometric functions.
An internal privacy impact assessment by the SPVM acknowledged potential civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including the risk of subjecting innocent bystanders to scrutiny and the possibility of discrimination based on visible social characteristics.
The SPVM’s acknowledgment of the Cloudrunner camera followed a period of confusion, with Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher initially unaware of the device’s existence. The chief later clarified that the camera was part of the SPVM’s efforts to combat armed violence and vehicle thefts.
While only one Cloudrunner camera was identified and removed, SPVM spokesperson Bélanger indicated the potential addition of more cameras based on the investigative needs related to armed violence, motor vehicle thefts, and crimes against merchants.
Genetec’s Vice President Andrew Elvish emphasized the technology’s adherence to privacy standards, ensuring that all interactions with the gathered data are documented. Elvish underscored the balance between privacy and community safety, highlighting the trade-offs involved in ensuring public security.
The City of Montreal clarified that it had not installed the Cloudrunner camera and directed inquiries about its deployment to the SPVM. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada previously advocated for a voluntary security camera registry during the municipal election campaign.
In Quebec, the Commission d’accès à l’information mandates that video surveillance by public bodies in public spaces must serve a legitimate and urgent objective, emphasizing the necessity to only collect images essential for addressing specific issues.
Legal experts, such as Jean-François Latreille, specializing in data security and privacy, stress the importance of stringent regulations on the use of such technologies to prevent individuals from losing control over their privacy rights in public settings.