Political climate fuels fears over surveillance expansion in China

CNN features that as Hong Kong embarks on an extensive surveillance initiative, the city's police force is set to install thousands of new cameras in an effort to enhance public safety and crime prevention.

As you walk through parts of downtown Hong Kong, you’re likely to notice the sleek black lens of a surveillance camera monitoring the bustling streets. This sight is expected to become increasingly common in the coming years, as the city’s police embark on an ambitious plan to install thousands of cameras to enhance their surveillance capabilities.   Despite being consistently ranked among the world’s safest major cities, law enforcement officials in this Asian financial hub argue that the new cameras are essential for combating crime.

They have also suggested the possibility of integrating advanced facial recognition and artificial intelligence technologies, raising concerns among experts who warn that this could push Hong Kong closer to the extensive surveillance systems found in mainland China, with significant implications for civil liberties. Hong Kong police had previously aimed to install 2,000 new surveillance cameras this year, with plans for even more in subsequent years. 

Security chief Chris Tang announced in July that the force intends to eventually incorporate facial recognition technology into these cameras, and they may also use AI in the future to locate suspects.   In a statement, the Hong Kong Police Force mentioned that they are studying how other countries utilize surveillance cameras, including the application of AI.

However, it's unclear how many of the new cameras will feature facial recognition capabilities or when this technology will be implemented. Tang and the police have frequently referenced other regions, including Western democracies, that employ extensive surveillance systems for law enforcement. 

For example, he noted that Singapore has 90,000 cameras, while the UK has over seven million, as reported in the local newspaper Sing Tao Daily in June. While countries like the UK have begun implementing facial recognition cameras, experts warn that these initial trials underscore the necessity for strict regulations and privacy safeguards. 

The Hong Kong police stated that they would "comply with relevant laws" and adhere to robust internal guidelines, though they did not provide detailed explanations of what those guidelines would entail.   Critics point out that Hong Kong's political climate sets it apart from other regions, particularly given the ongoing repression of political dissent as it aligns more closely with authoritarian mainland China.

Following the unprecedented and often violent anti-government protests in 2019, local and central authorities enacted sweeping national security laws, which have been utilized to imprison activists, journalists, and political adversaries, as well as to target civil society groups and critical media outlets. 

Hong Kong’s leaders argue that these laws are necessary to restore stability after the protests and claim that they are comparable to national security laws in other countries.

By Naila Huseynova