Montreal police have been expanding their utilization of AI-driven technology to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy rights among the public.
A sophisticated camera capable of scanning and identifying vehicles, identified as the Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by Genetec, a Montreal-based company, was discovered on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood by a Radio-Canada reporter. Following the publication of an article by Radio-Canada, the camera was promptly removed.
The camera, similar to the controversial Flock Safety cameras commonly used in the United States, not only scans license plates but also records specific vehicle details such as color, make, and model, as stated on Genetec’s website. Unlike Flock cameras that share data in a central database accessible to various police forces, Genetec’s system manages collected information internally.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, access to the captured images is restricted to investigators overseeing the relevant operations. The SPVM justified the removal of the camera to protect their ongoing investigative strategies and stressed the confidentiality of their technological tools to prevent interference with complex investigations.
Critics argue that the rollout of new technology lacks transparency. Dominique Peschard from the Ligue des droits et libertés emphasized the need for police to inform the public about the tools they use while maintaining operational integrity.
The SPVM’s adoption of Cloudrunner cameras is part of a broader integration of AI technology, including the iMotion ROC AI software by Rank One Computing. SPVM spokesperson Anik de Repentigny clarified that the software aids investigators in analyzing extensive video footage but denied using its facial recognition or biometric functions. The system operates offline within a closed network, separate from external databases.
An internal privacy assessment by the SPVM recognized civil liberties risks associated with the technology, such as potentially implicating innocent individuals and the threat of discrimination based on visible social characteristics. However, the assessment indicated measures to minimize discrimination risks by configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits.
The SPVM’s acknowledgment of the Cloudrunner camera deployment came after initial confusion, with Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher initially unaware of the device. The chief later confirmed its use for targeting armed violence and vehicle thefts. Public records revealed a contract with Genetec for Cloudrunner units, indicating potential future deployments based on investigative needs.
Amidst privacy concerns, Genetec’s vice-president, Andrew Elvish, emphasized the technology’s privacy-respecting design and logging of data interactions. The balance between privacy and community safety remains a key consideration for stakeholders.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada’s proposal for a voluntary security camera registry during the previous election campaign highlights ongoing discussions on public surveillance regulation. In Quebec, the Commission d’accès à l’information mandates strict criteria for video surveillance by public bodies to address genuine objectives and collect only essential data.
Legal experts stress the importance of stringent controls on such technologies to safeguard individuals’ privacy rights in public spaces. Failure to enforce restrictions could result in a loss of personal privacy within the public domain.