Hong Kong police plan to introduce facial recognition technology to their SmartView CCTV network this month, saying it will help officers search for criminal suspects and locate high-risk missing people.
The technology is being added as the force expands a network that already includes police cameras and feeds from other organisations. Police told RTHK that approximately 10,000 cameras had been installed by the force, with a further 10,000 connected from government departments and public organisations.
The government’s longer-term target is around 60,000 cameras across Hong Kong by 2028. A further 6,500 are planned for the developing Northern Metropolis after 2028, bringing the anticipated total to approximately 66,500 by 2031, according to police.
How the technology will be used
Police say facial recognition can assist with searches of existing footage and with locating people in real time. For example, officers could use a photograph supplied by a missing person’s family to help find a vulnerable person, such as an older adult with dementia.
Superintendent Raymond Cheng told RTHK that the feature could be activated on police cameras and third-party feeds integrated into SmartView. He said it would be used for active criminal searches or to locate high-risk missing people, with resources directed towards particular cameras when needed.
Police said pilot tests had helped officers arrest a robbery suspect and find an elderly man with dementia within an hour and a half of his disappearance being reported. These are outcomes reported by police.
Shopping malls and privacy
At least four shopping malls have agreed to connect their CCTV feeds to the police network, according to RTHK. Existing connected locations include the airport, MTR stations, public housing estates, cross-harbour tunnels and Kai Tak Sports Park.
The expansion raises questions about how widely facial recognition will be used, how long personal data will be retained and how clearly people will be told that a camera is connected to police.
Police said CCTV footage would be kept for no more than 31 days. Images captured through facial recognition, together with associated information such as the location, date, time and facial characteristics, would be retained for up to 180 days.
Cheng said shopping malls with CCTV must display general notices that recording is taking place. However, he said the Department of Justice had advised that disclosure of a connection to the police network should be voluntary. Police would encourage organisations to display such notices.
The 60,000-camera figure is a future target, and the planned introduction of facial recognition this month does not mean every camera will be running facial recognition continuously. Police say the feature will be activated for particular searches.
