Video surveillance with AI raises big questions about privacy. On the one hand, it feels safer, while on the other hand, it can easily cross the line to intrude. The more technology sees and tracks our actions, the more difficult it becomes to know where privacy will stop and surveillance will begin.
I'll look to everyone
The global video surveillance industry is valued at $73.75 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $1476.6 billion by 2030. Cameras are everywhere on the streets, in stores and sports facilities.
AI Technology has added new features to these systems. Unlike older cameras that recorded only videos for later reviews, AI surveillance can recognize faces, track people with multiple cameras, and flag abnormal behavior in real time. You can also combine other data with what you see to build a personal profile.
However, these systems are not always accurate and can be affected by bias or errors. How data is stored, used, and controlled will vary depending on local law and whether the equipment is operated by a public or private company.
The problem is that most people don't know who holds this data or what it uses.
If we are not careful and do not set defined boundaries, we can slip into a dystopian society where the nation controls every aspect of our lives under the pretext of security. Some authoritarian regimes have already exercised this level of control over their citizens, gaining superiority over democracies around the world. History shows that such regimes often rely heavily on surveillance.
Your freedom in the hands of software
Around the world, war and political change are driving protests as people take them onto the streets. In these primarily peaceful demonstrations, citizens want to express their views and oppose certain policies, but the fear of being monitored can hinder them.
In recent years, law enforcement has used new technologies to combat crime. But how well do these tools work? Also, can we trust AI to not make mistakes that could put innocent people at risk? A post investigation in Washington found that in some cases people were mistakenly arrested and accused when police were solely dependent on AI.
Facial recognition software used by law enforcement compares probe images with databases containing billions of photographs slashed from social media and public websites. This means that anyone with a photo online could be involved in a criminal investigation if they resemble a suspect.
Surveillance spreads across city streets to schools and universities. Officials say it is intended to keep students safe, but critics, particularly activists, are worried that it is a first step towards greater control.
Suppress AI
AI surveillance helps to catch criminals, detect threats and manage crisis, but its use must be monitored and restricted. The government is responsible for protecting privacy, regulating businesses processing surveillance data and ensuring that technology is not misused by citizens.
In the EU, AI laws are adopted as the first comprehensive law to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, including video surveillance. The law prohibits a massive amount of real-time facial recognition in public spaces, searching for victims of serious crimes, preventing terrorist threats, and only under strict judicial supervision.
In the United States, there is no single federal law specifically governing AI video surveillance. Regulations are primarily left to state, local jurisdictions, and existing laws that may apply in certain cases. Some members of Congress have proposed restrictions, but nothing has been passed so far.
Citizens must understand the potential impact of AI surveillance on their rights and the daily lives. Education campaigns help people know how to collect and use data, make informed decisions and keep authorities and businesses accountable. Public awareness and engagement can pressure governments and organizations to act transparent, responsible, and fairly.
“There are several ethical concerns when deploying AI for cybersecurity defense, particularly in data privacy, bias, transparency, accountability and automated responses. As AI is integrated into security systems, organizations must carefully balance the ethical implications of practice with the need for protection.
