Police Commissioner Raymond Siu stated that while they are still in the preparation phase, they are considering the use of facial recognition Technology to enhance law enforcement and public safety. Siu assured citizens that any use of surveillance technology would be done lawfully and in the interest of combating crime.
Siu also emphasized that the government is in the early stages of identifying the circumstances in which the technology would be utilized, including tracking suspects and potential use for national security cases. He also highlighted the need for increased surveillance in Hong Kong, citing comparisons to other countries such as Britain and Singapore, where surveillance cameras are more prolific.
However, concerns have been raised about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in law enforcement, particularly regarding the lack of legislation governing its usage. Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon stressed the need for clear guidelines on the purpose, usage, and storage of data collected, as well as improvements to data security systems to minimize potential risks.
It was also suggested that the government follow privacy watchdog guidelines on the usage of surveillance technology in order to safeguard collected data and protect individual privacy.
The plan to install 2,000 CCTV cameras in densely populated and high-crime areas has sparked discussions about national security legislation and the government’s obligation under Article 23 of the Basic Law to enact its own legislation addressing national security offences.
As the debate continues, questions about the balance between public safety and personal privacy remain at the forefront of the conversation.
[Historic Context: The use of surveillance technology, including CCTV cameras, has been a topic of debate and concern in many regions around the world in recent years, particularly in relation to privacy rights and government oversight. As technology continues to advance, the ethical and legal implications of its use in law enforcement and public safety become increasingly complex.]
[Closing statement: Whether the government can effectively address these concerns and provide clear guidelines for the use of surveillance technology remains to be seen.]
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