Hong Kong to boost surveillance with AI facial recognition cameras

Hong Kong is significantly expanding its public surveillance network, which will utilise AI-powered facial recognition technology, bringing it closer to mainland China, where authorities commonly monitor public spaces with advanced technology.

According to Hong Kong's security chief Chris Tang, “Artificial intelligence is being used to monitor and read license plates closely; that technology will naturally be applied to people, such as tracking criminal suspects.”

It has been observed that the same kind of technology was deployed in Britain, despite criticism arguing that it grants the government unbridled power to invade privacy on a larger scale.

Meanwhile, the European Union adopted an Artificial Intelligence Act last year, which bans the use of real-time remote biometric identification systems in publicly accessible spaces for law enforcement purposes, except in certain specified cases.

Hong Kong’s independent privacy watchdog refused to confirm that it had been consulted in drawing up plans for a massive surveillance camera programme.

A senior fellow at the Georgetown Centre for Asian Law, Eric Lia, said that Hong Kong's police have not been subjected to effective oversight by independent watchdogs, and the city has no clear rules governing the use of AI by law enforcement agencies.

Hong Kong is playing a crucial role in significantly expanding its surveillance network and plans to integrate facial recognition technology despite public and expert concerns.