Police in Hong Kong announced the rollout of facial recognition technology on their CCTV network this month, aiming to assist in criminal searches and locate high-risk missing persons. This initiative is part of the SmartView project, which includes the installation of around 20,000 cameras, with some footage also being collected from other government departments and public organizations. Locations covered include sports parks, international airport areas, major tunnels, urban train stations, and residential estates. Superintendent Raymond Cheng emphasized that the technology could be activated anytime on all cameras and third-party feeds, but it would only be used during active criminal searches or to find high-risk missing persons, to conserve resources. Over 180 days, photos and metadata from facial recognition captures will be preserved, while footage remains for up to 31 days. In preliminary tests, the technology has already proven effective, aiding in the arrest of a robbery suspect and locating an elderly dementia patient within hours of their disappearance. To ensure privacy, only malls with installed cameras are required by law to inform visitors of footage recording, while the Department of Justice advises this should be voluntary for those whose feeds are connected to the police network. Since 2024, the police have been progressively installing cameras in high-crime and heavy pedestrian areas, with plans to reach over 60,000 cameras citywide by 2028 and an additional 6,500 in the Northern Metropolis after 2028, resulting in the solution of nearly 2,200 criminal cases and more than 2,800 arrests through the CCTV network.
Facial recognition on CCTV networks in Hong Kong is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and solve crimes. The technology is being implemented across key locations and aimed at both urgent searches and long-term criminal investigations. By leveraging the vast network of cameras and collaborating with other entities, Hong Kong authorities hope to maintain high levels of community surveillance, supporting faster responses to emergencies and more efficient criminal investigations. As the system continues to develop, privacy concerns and the ethical boundaries of such surveillance remain under scrutiny, with ongoing efforts to strike a balance between security and individual rights.