Montreal police have been expanding their utilization of AI-driven technologies to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy rights among the public. Recently, a sophisticated camera capable of scanning and identifying vehicles was observed by a Radio-Canada journalist on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by Montreal-based company Genetec, was promptly removed after Radio-Canada reported on its presence.
Unlike the contentious Flock Safety cameras widely deployed in the United States, the Genetec system not only scans license plates but also records specific vehicle details such as color, make, and model. While Flock cameras share data in a central database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies, Genetec’s system manages collected information internally. The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) clarified that access to the captured images is restricted to the investigators handling the relevant cases.
Advocates for privacy have criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the deployment of new technology by law enforcement. Dominique Peschard, a spokesperson for the Ligue des droits et libertés, emphasized the importance of keeping the public informed about the tools being utilized by the police without compromising their investigative work.
The use of Cloudrunner cameras forms part of the SPVM’s broader integration of AI-powered solutions. The SPVM acknowledged the use of iMotion ROC AI software, developed by Rank One Computing, to assist investigators in analyzing extensive video footage. However, the SPVM stated that they do not employ the software’s facial recognition or biometric capabilities, emphasizing that the system operates on a closed offline network.
An internal privacy impact assessment obtained by CBC News highlighted civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including the potential scrutiny of innocent bystanders and discrimination based on visible social characteristics. The assessment suggested that configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits, like ethnicity, could mitigate discriminatory risks.
Following a period of uncertainty, Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher confirmed the SPVM’s ownership and use of the Cloudrunner camera for targeting armed violence and vehicle thefts. Public records revealed a contract worth $17,134 awarded to Genetec for acquiring Cloudrunner units. The SPVM indicated the possibility of adding more cameras depending on the requirements of investigations related to armed violence, vehicle thefts, and crimes against merchants.
Genetec’s Vice President Andrew Elvish stated that the technology is designed to uphold privacy standards, with all interactions with the gathered data being logged. In response to inquiries, a City of Montreal spokesperson clarified that they had not installed the Cloudrunner camera and directed queries about its deployment to the SPVM.
During the previous fall’s election campaign, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada advocated for a “voluntary” security camera registry to facilitate the mapping of residents’ home surveillance cameras by officers. The Commission d’accès à l’information in Quebec mandates that video surveillance by public bodies in public spaces must align with legitimate objectives and collect only necessary images to address specific issues.
Legal experts emphasize the need for stringent controls on the use of such technologies to safeguard individual privacy in public domains. If not properly regulated, individuals may risk losing control over their privacy rights.