Montreal police are expanding their utilization of AI-driven technology to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, prompting concerns about transparency and privacy protection. Recently, a high-tech camera capable of scanning and identifying vehicles, known as the Cloudrunner CR-H2 and produced by Genetec, a Montreal-based company, was discovered on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. This discovery led to the camera’s prompt removal following media coverage.
Unlike the controversial Flock Safety cameras in the United States, which share data in a central database accessible to various law enforcement agencies, Genetec’s system manages collected information internally. The captured data, which includes vehicle details such as color, make, and model, is exclusively accessed by investigators overseeing specific operations, according to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger.
The SPVM justifies the secrecy surrounding its technological tools as necessary to safeguard ongoing investigations. However, privacy advocates argue that there is a lack of transparency in the deployment of new technologies, emphasizing the importance of public awareness without compromising investigative operations.
The Cloudrunner cameras are part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI technology, including the iMotion ROC AI software from Rank One Computing. While the software aids investigators in analyzing vast amounts of video footage, the SPVM denies using its facial recognition or biometric features and ensures that the system operates offline from external databases.
An internal privacy impact assessment obtained by CBC News highlights civil liberties risks associated with the technology, such as potentially subjecting innocent individuals to scrutiny and the risk of discrimination. Despite these concerns, the SPVM continues to explore the use of AI technology in investigations dealing with armed violence, vehicle thefts, and crimes against merchants.
Andrew Elvish, Genetec’s vice president, stresses that the technology prioritizes privacy and data interactions are meticulously logged. The debate over balancing privacy and security persists, with community safety considerations influencing the tolerance for privacy trade-offs.
City of Montreal officials clarified that they did not install the Cloudrunner camera and directed deployment inquiries to the SPVM. The discussion surrounding the use of surveillance technology remains contentious, with legal experts advocating for stringent restrictions to protect individual privacy rights in public spaces.