Montreal authorities are discreetly expanding their utilization of AI-driven technologies to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns over transparency and privacy rights. A highly advanced camera capable of identifying vehicles was recently observed by a Radio-Canada journalist on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies district. Following the publication of an article by Radio-Canada about the camera, it was promptly removed on Wednesday.
The device identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2, developed by Montreal-based company Genetec, was confirmed to be used by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). This system, akin to the controversial Flock Safety cameras prevalent in the United States, not only scans license plates but also records specific vehicle attributes such as color, make, and model.
Unlike Flock cameras sharing data in a centralized database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies in the U.S., Genetec’s system manages the collected information internally. According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, access to the captured images is restricted to the investigators handling the relevant cases.
The SPVM emphasizes that the camera’s removal was necessary to safeguard ongoing investigative strategies. They maintain the secrecy of their technological tools to avoid impeding complex investigations. However, privacy advocates argue that the rollout of new technology lacks transparency.
Dominique Peschard, representing the Ligue des droits et libertés, a Quebec human rights organization, stresses the importance of informing the public about the tools being utilized by law enforcement without compromising their operations. Peschard emphasizes the need for oversight to prevent invasive technologies from infringing on individuals’ Charter rights.
The deployment of Cloudrunner cameras is part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI-driven technology. The SPVM has acknowledged using iMotion ROC AI software from Rank One Computing to assist investigators in sorting through extensive video footage. The force denies employing the software’s facial recognition or biometric functions, asserting that it is solely used to locate targeted elements within videos.
An internal privacy impact assessment obtained by CBC News acknowledges the civil liberties risks posed by the technology, including the potential investigation of innocent bystanders and discrimination based on visible social characteristics. The assessment highlights measures to mitigate discrimination risks by configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits like ethnicity.
The SPVM’s acknowledgment of the Cloudrunner camera followed initial confusion on Wednesday, with Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher initially claiming ignorance of the device. Subsequently, Dagher clarified that the camera was utilized by the SPVM to target armed violence and vehicle thefts. Public records reveal that Montreal signed a contract with Genetec last October to acquire Cloudrunner units.
Genetec’s vice-president, Andrew Elvish, assures that the technology prioritizes privacy, with every data interaction being logged. He emphasizes the balance between privacy and community safety, asking what level of privacy individuals are willing to sacrifice for enhanced security.
The City of Montreal denies installing the Cloudrunner camera and directs inquiries regarding its deployment to the SPVM. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada previously endorsed the establishment of a voluntary security camera registry during the last fall’s election campaign. The Commission d’accès à l’information in Quebec mandates stringent criteria for video surveillance by public entities, emphasizing the necessity of collecting images solely for resolving specific issues.
Legal experts like Jean-François Latreille stress the importance of restricting the use of such tools to prevent the erosion of individual privacy in public spaces.