Montreal authorities are discreetly expanding their array of AI-based technologies to monitor both vehicles and individuals across the city, sparking concerns regarding transparency and privacy rights among the public.
A high-tech camera equipped with the capability to scan and identify vehicles was recently discovered by a Radio-Canada journalist on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. However, the camera was promptly removed following the publication of an article by Radio-Canada about its existence.
The camera in question, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2, is produced by Genetec, a Montreal-based company, as confirmed by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). Unlike the controversial Flock Safety cameras prevalent in the United States, the Genetec system goes beyond merely scanning license plates. It can also record and retain specific details about vehicles, such as their color, make, and model, as stated on the company’s website.
In contrast to Flock cameras that share data in a central database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies, Genetec’s system differs by having the collected information managed by its specific operator. The SPVM clarified that access to the captured images is restricted to the investigators overseeing the relevant operations.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, the camera’s removal was strategic to safeguard their ongoing investigative strategies. Bélanger emphasized that the SPVM deliberately keeps its technological tools confidential to avoid impeding intricate investigations.
However, critics argue that the introduction of new technology lacks transparency. Dominique Peschard, a representative from the Ligue des droits et libertés, a Quebec human rights organization, emphasized the importance of informing the public about the tools being utilized by law enforcement without compromising their operations.
The use of Cloudrunner cameras is part of the broader incorporation of AI-driven technology by the SPVM. The police force acknowledged the utilization of iMotion ROC AI software, developed by Rank One Computing, to aid investigators in sorting through extensive video footage. SPVM spokesperson Anik de Repentigny clarified that the software does not engage in facial recognition or biometric functions.
Moreover, an internal privacy impact assessment conducted by the SPVM acknowledges the potential civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including the inadvertent investigation of innocent bystanders and the risk of discrimination based on visible social characteristics.
The SPVM’s revelation regarding the Cloudrunner camera followed a period of uncertainty. Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher initially claimed ignorance of the device, later attributing his earlier lack of knowledge to being preoccupied with other news. The device was confirmed to belong to the SPVM and was being used to target armed violence and vehicle thefts.
Public records revealed a contract between Montreal and Genetec for Cloudrunner units, with the possibility of additional cameras being deployed based on investigation requirements. Genetec’s Vice President, Andrew Elvish, assured that the technology prioritizes privacy, with all interactions with collected data being logged.
In light of these developments, concerns have been raised about the oversight of such tools. Experts stress the necessity of strict regulation to prevent the loss of individual privacy in public spaces.