Montreal police have been expanding their utilization of AI-driven technology to monitor vehicles and individuals in the city discreetly, sparking concerns regarding transparency and privacy rights among the public.
A sophisticated camera capable of scanning and recognizing vehicles was recently discovered by a Radio-Canada journalist on a lamppost along Henri-Bourassa Boulevard in Montreal’s Rivière-des-Prairies neighborhood. This camera, identified as a Cloudrunner CR-H2 manufactured by Genetec, a Montreal-based company, was promptly removed following media coverage about it.
Similar to the contentious Flock Safety cameras widely deployed in the United States, the Cloudrunner system not only scans license plates but also captures and stores detailed vehicle attributes such as color, make, and model, as per information on the company’s website. Unlike Flock cameras, which share data in a central database accessible to multiple law enforcement agencies, Genetec’s system manages the collected data internally.
According to SPVM spokesperson Marc-Antoine Bélanger, access to the captured images is restricted to the investigators overseeing the relevant cases. Bélanger explained that the camera’s removal was to safeguard their ongoing investigative strategies.
Although the SPVM does not disclose its technological tools to avoid impeding complex investigations, privacy advocates argue that there has been a lack of transparency in deploying new technology.
Dominique Peschard, a representative of the Ligue des droits et libertés, emphasized the importance of police informing the public about the tools they utilize without compromising their operations. Peschard highlighted the necessity for oversight to prevent invasive technologies from infringing on individuals’ Charter rights.
The deployment of Cloudrunner cameras is part of the SPVM’s broader adoption of AI-driven technology. The force has confirmed its use of iMotion ROC AI software developed by Rank One Computing, primarily to assist investigators in analyzing vast amounts of video footage. SPVM maintains that the software does not employ facial recognition or biometric features and operates offline within a closed network.
An internal privacy impact assessment obtained by CBC News reveals that the technology poses civil liberties risks, including the potential for investigating innocent bystanders and discrimination based on visible social characteristics. The assessment underscores the importance of configuring the software to search for objects rather than identifiable traits to mitigate discrimination risks.
Following a period of initial confusion, Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher acknowledged the presence of the Cloudrunner camera, stating it is used to target armed violence and vehicle thefts. Public records indicate that Montreal awarded a contract with Genetec for Cloudrunner units, with the possibility of additional cameras depending on investigative needs.
Andrew Elvish, Genetec’s vice-president, emphasized the technology’s privacy-respecting design and stringent data logging protocols. He noted the importance of balancing privacy expectations with community safety concerns.
In response to inquiries, a City of Montreal spokesperson clarified that they had not installed the Cloudrunner camera, directing questions about its deployment to the SPVM. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada previously advocated for a voluntary security camera registry during the city’s last election campaign.
In Quebec, the Commission d’accès à l’information mandates that video surveillance by public bodies in public spaces must serve a legitimate and urgent objective, emphasizing the necessity of collecting only essential images to address specific issues related to security and privacy. Jean-François Latreille, a privacy law expert, stressed the need for stringent restrictions on the use of such surveillance tools to prevent individuals from losing control over their privacy in public domains.
