Police mulls expansion of SmartView surveillance to MTR system

The police is mulling to include MTR's CCTV footage into their "SmartView" surveillance camera initiative as soon as this year to facilitate officers in fighting crimes, sources said.

The police have been installing CCTV systems at places with a high crime rate since last April and have earlier said it is aiming to include surveillance footage from the Transport Department, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Housing Department into the “SmartView” program.

In addition, the police are planning to include CCTV footage from the city's railway operator as well, sources told Sing Tao Daily, The Standard’s sister paper, and they have commissioned an independent consultancy to conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment.

Sources revealed that the Transport Department, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Housing Authority, and MTR were prioritized for integration due to their extensive, technically compatible camera networks. 

The MTR’s system, in particular, is expected to substantially aid public safety monitoring and post-incident investigations.

Once implemented, the system will eliminate the need for officers to physically request footage from relevant departments.

It is understood that investigators with inspector-level authorization can directly access all relevant footage for active cases. 

To safeguard public privacy, the Police stated it has commissioned an independent consultancy to conduct the Privacy Impact Assessment.

Francis Fong Po-kiu, honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, said that even after integrating MTR cameras into the police’s “SmartView” system, access would still require approval protocols rather than unrestricted real-time viewing. 

He noted that most public CCTV systems, including those monitoring building exteriors for objects being thrown from heights, are strategically positioned to avoid capturing private residences, focusing solely on public areas.

Fong cited international examples like the UK, Australia, and Spain, where public-area CCTV networks have proven effective in combating robberies and other crimes. 

However, he urged government departments and public operators like the MTR to ensure the expanded surveillance powers are used responsibly.

(Cheng Wong)