Hong Kong police to enable AI facial recognition on CCTV network this month

Hong Kong's police force plans to implement artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition technology on its expanding smart surveillance network this month. The technology aims to enhance the tracking of missing persons or suspects, and authorities intend to retain the generated data for up to 180 days. Senior Superintendent Eric Leung Ming-leung of the force's operations wing highlighted that the use of AI facial recognition would reduce the time spent reviewing CCTV footage, allowing officers to focus on other investigative tasks.

The facial recognition system in the "SmartView" camera installation program operates in two ways: first, officers can input a suspect's facial features to search specific footage or cameras within a set time frame; second, the system can provide real-time alerts when a person with matching facial features appears on camera. Searches in the system require approval from an officer at the inspector level or above and must align with national security, crime prevention, and public safety goals.

The officer who approves the search will also verify that the scope of the search is proportionate to the investigation. Despite concerns over data storage costs, Leung explained that the facial recognition function's data occupies less storage space than video footage, allowing for a longer retention period of up to 180 days. The police emphasized that all CCTV cameras installed under the SmartView project capture only public areas and that privacy protection measures, including independent privacy impact assessments and consultations with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, were taken to safeguard residents' privacy rights.