Montreal authorities are discreetly expanding their array of AI-driven technologies to monitor vehicles and individuals throughout the city, sparking concerns about transparency and privacy protection.
A sophisticated camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was recently sighted by a Radio-Canada journalist on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies district. The camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by local company Genetec, was promptly removed following media coverage.
In parallel to controversial Flock Safety cameras widely deployed in the U.S., the Cloudrunner system not only reads license plates but also captures and retains specific vehicle details like color, make, and model, as detailed on Genetec’s website. Unlike Flock cameras that share data in a central repository accessible to various police agencies, Genetec’s platform manages collected information internally.
Responding to inquiries, SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger clarified that access to the captured images is limited to the relevant investigators overseeing the specific case. Bélanger highlighted that the camera’s removal was strategic to safeguard ongoing investigations and emphasized the necessity of keeping technological tools confidential to avoid jeopardizing complex probes.
Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the lack of openness in introducing new surveillance technologies. Dominique Peschard from the Ligue des droits et libertés emphasized the importance of informing the public about the tools in use while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Montreal’s deployment of Cloudrunner cameras forms part of a broader adoption of AI-driven solutions by the SPVM. The force has confirmed its use of iMotion ROC AI software, developed by Rank One Computing, to assist investigators in analyzing extensive video footage, while denying utilization of the software’s facial recognition or biometric capacities.
A privacy impact evaluation by the SPVM acknowledges the potential civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including unwarranted scrutiny of innocent bystanders and the threat of discrimination based on visible attributes. The assessment underscores efforts to mitigate discrimination risks by configuring the software to target objects rather than identifiable traits.
Following public scrutiny, Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher acknowledged the deployment of the Cloudrunner camera for combating armed violence and vehicle thefts. While a single camera was observed and removed, the SPVM indicated the potential addition of more cameras based on investigative requirements.
Genetec’s vice-president Andrew Elvish assured that the technology prioritizes privacy and logs all interactions with the collected data. He emphasized the balance between privacy expectations and community safety concerns, urging a thoughtful consideration of trade-offs.
In compliance with privacy regulations, the City of Montreal clarified that it had not installed the Cloudrunner camera and directed queries regarding its deployment to the SPVM. The city’s efforts to establish a voluntary security camera registry, as advocated by Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, aim to enhance public safety while respecting privacy concerns.
In Quebec, the Commission d’accès à l’information mandates stringent criteria for public video surveillance by organizations, emphasizing the necessity and proportionality of data collection to address specific issues. Legal expert Jean-François Latreille stressed the importance of stringent controls on the use of such technologies to prevent the erosion of individual privacy in public spaces.
