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. A sophisticated camera capable of scanning and identifying vehicles was recently observed on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood by a Radio-Canada journalist. This camera, identified as the Cloudrunner CR-H2 produced by Montreal-based company Genetec, was promptly removed after media coverage. The system, similar to the controversial Flock Safety cameras in the United States, not only scans license plates but also records specific vehicle details like color, make, and model.
Unlike Flock cameras that share data across multiple police agencies, Genetec’s system manages collected information internally. The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) indicated that access to captured images is restricted to investigators handling relevant cases. SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger emphasized that the camera’s removal was strategic to safeguard ongoing investigative operations. The SPVM justifies the secrecy surrounding its technological tools as necessary to maintain the effectiveness of complex investigations.
However, privacy advocates argue that the deployment of new technologies lacks transparency. Dominique Peschard from the Ligue des droits et libertés emphasized the importance of police informing the public about the tools they use without compromising their work. Peschard underscored the need for oversight to prevent invasive investigative techniques from infringing on individuals’ rights.
The use of Cloudrunner cameras is part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI technology, including the iMotion ROC AI software by Rank One Computing. The software aids investigators in analyzing extensive video footage but is claimed not to employ facial recognition or biometric features. The SPVM operates the software on a closed network isolated from external databases.
An internal privacy impact assessment by the SPVM acknowledges the civil liberties risks posed by the technology, such as potentially subjecting innocent bystanders to scrutiny and the risk of discrimination based on visible characteristics. Despite these risks, the assessment suggests configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits to minimize discriminatory practices.
The SPVM’s acknowledgment of the Cloudrunner camera usage followed a period of confusion, wherein Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher initially denied knowledge of the device. Subsequently, Dagher clarified that the camera aimed to combat armed violence and vehicle thefts. Public records show a contract with Genetec for Cloudrunner units, with the possibility of additional cameras being deployed based on investigative requirements.
Genetec’s vice president, Andrew Elvish, assured that the technology prioritizes privacy, with all interactions logged for accountability. Balancing privacy concerns with community safety remains a pivotal issue. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada’s proposal for a voluntary security camera registry during the recent election campaign underscores the ongoing debate surrounding surveillance technologies and public safety measures in the city.
In Quebec, the Commission d’accès à l’information mandates that public video surveillance serves a legitimate and urgent purpose and advocates for the collection of only essential images to address specific issues. Legal experts stress the importance of stringent regulations to prevent the erosion of individual privacy in public spaces.