Montreal authorities are discreetly expanding their array of AI-driven tools for monitoring vehicles and individuals throughout the city, prompting concerns regarding transparency and privacy protection. Recently, a sophisticated camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was sighted on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies district. The camera, identified as the Cloudrunner CR-H2 produced by Montreal-based company Genetec, was promptly removed following media coverage.
Unlike the contentious Flock Safety cameras extensively utilized in the U.S., the Cloudrunner system not only scans license plates but also records specific vehicle attributes such as color, make, and model according to Genetec’s official website. Unlike Flock cameras that share data in a centralized database accessible to various police agencies, Genetec’s system manages collected information internally.
SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger assured that access to the captured images is restricted to the designated investigators. The SPVM justifies the secrecy surrounding its technological tools as essential for safeguarding complex investigations. However, privacy advocates criticize the lack of transparency in deploying new technology.
Dominique Peschard from the human rights group Ligue des droits et libertés emphasized the importance of informing the public about law enforcement tools without compromising their effectiveness. The Cloudrunner cameras are part of the SPVM’s broader integration of AI technology, including the use of iMotion ROC AI software by Rank One Computing for video analysis. SPVM denies utilizing the software’s facial recognition or biometric features.
An internal privacy assessment by the SPVM acknowledges potential civil liberties risks associated with the technology, including the possibility of subjecting innocent individuals to scrutiny and the risk of discrimination based on visible characteristics. The assessment highlights measures to minimize discrimination risks by configuring the software to target objects rather than identifiable traits like ethnicity.
The SPVM’s acknowledgment of the Cloudrunner camera came amid confusion, with Police Chief Fady Dagher initially unaware of its presence. Public records reveal a contract with Genetec to procure Cloudrunner units. While only one camera was spotted and removed, the SPVM hints at the possibility of deploying more cameras based on investigative needs.
Genetec’s vice-president Andrew Elvish reassured that the technology prioritizes privacy and ensures stringent data handling practices. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada previously advocated for a voluntary security camera registry as part of public safety initiatives. Legal experts stress the importance of regulating the use of such tools to prevent privacy infringements in public spaces.