Hong Kong Plans 60,000 AI Surveillance Cameras by 2028

Hong Kong is dramatically expanding its surveillance network through the SmartView initiative, planning to increase its AI-powered CCTV cameras from nearly 4,000 to 60,000 by 2028. The technology currently assists in monitoring crowds and reading license plates, with plans to extend real-time facial recognition for tracking criminal suspects as early as the end of this year. Authorities emphasize the program's role in national security and crime prevention, crediting it with solving hundreds of cases and making numerous arrests. However, the expansion raises significant privacy concerns, as Hong Kong's independent privacy watchdog has not confirmed consultation on the plan, and experts warn about the lack of clear oversight and risks of wrongful arrests due to false matches. The move aligns Hong Kong more closely with mainland China's extensive use of surveillance technology, contrasting with regions like the European Union, which have enacted bans on real-time biometric identification in public spaces to protect civil liberties. Critics argue that such surveillance grants unchecked government power, sparking a broader global debate about balancing security needs with privacy rights.