Editorial | Police CCTV coverage must be expanded with care, ensuring data security

CCTV is not only an established tool for fighting crime but also for enhancing public safety, for example in crowd situations, despite understandable concerns about intrusions into privacy.

The police force says it has already integrated more than 5,000 cameras installed by other departments and organisations. The authorities previously revealed plans to adopt the use of facial recognition technology starting this year to boost law enforcement efficiency. The cameras also help monitor exposed locations for hazards during typhoons and rainstorms.

The use of surveillance cameras in public areas has grown dramatically around the world, in some places to levels much higher than in Hong Kong. Their use here has long been controversial, but there is no denying the value of CCTV in identifying suspects and catching wanted criminals. The mainland uses such technology extensively. London’s Metropolitan Police have described facial recognition as a vital tool. While it is still being introduced in Hong Kong, early police figures on the effectiveness of camera surveillance in criminal investigation and law enforcement speak for themselves.

Privacy concerns about the use of surveillance cameras and facial recognition are to be expected. At the same time, safeguarding national security and the city’s reputation for public safety is paramount. With proper control, the technology can be used effectively to help safeguard both. Even though its ultimate expansion into every corner of public and common areas is now a given, it must be rolled out with care to ensure the right balance with the right to privacy. This includes securing data against misuse and theft and setting limits on how long data is kept.