Police CCTV cameras to have facial recognition, says security chief

Hong Kong’s security chief, Chris Tang Ping-keung, said authorities will adopt facial recognition technology for police surveillance cameras in the SAR.

His comments came as authorities earlier announced that 2,000 CCTV cameras would be installed across Hong Kong by the end of the year.

Tang told an interview that introducing facial recognition technology will enhance law enforcement efficiency, with authorities currently examining the procedures required for proceeding with the plan. However, he said there is no definitive timeline on the matter.

He emphasized that the authorities have strict requirements for accessing the CCTV footage, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

Tang also revealed that the 15 sets of cameras installed in Mong Kok as a technical trial had enabled the force to detect 13 types of crimes in the area.

Meanwhile, when asked whether the city’s lack of demonstrations reflected its diminishing freedoms, the Secretary for Security stressed that authorities have not rejected a single protest application since 2022.

“I think you cannot just count the number of how many of those protests or [expressions] of opinion to reflect the level of freedom in Hong Kong.”

He also argued that the lack of demonstrations in the city was not a sign of civil society in retreat but due to the availability of multiple channels to express opinions.