Hong Kong Deploys Facial Recognition Across 60,000 CCTV Cameras
Hong Kong deploys facial recognition across 60,000 CCTV cameras by 2028, prioritizing shopping centers. HK$4.06B investment signals Asia's most aggressive surveillance expansion amid privacy concerns.
Hong Kong Police Commissioner Joe Chow Yat-ming announced on February 15 that facial recognition technology will be integrated into the city's SmartView CCTV system this year or next, marking a significant expansion of the surveillance network from 11,000 to 60,000 cameras citywide. The deployment, backed by HK$4.06 billion (~US$520 million) in government funding, represents a 445% increase in camera coverage within two years.
Shopping Centers Prioritized in Initial Rollout
High-traffic shopping centers will receive facial recognition capabilities first, with retail operators providing positive feedback to police requests for CCTV system integration. Commissioner Chow emphasized that external cameras near malls serve as key strategic points for monitoring people passing by, even when internal retail surveillance may be less immediately useful for police operations.
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The SmartView system currently operates approximately 11,000 cameras, including 5,000 police-installed units and 6,000 from other government departments. The expansion plan calls for 20,000 new cameras annually through 2028, positioning Hong Kong among Asia's most heavily instrumented surveillance environments.
"For crime prevention and detection, the more cameras the better. Times have changed," Chow said, acknowledging that opposition to CCTV surveillance existed 20 to 30 years ago but noting that dense surveillance is now widespread globally.
The system has already demonstrated operational value, detecting 226 cases in Q1 2025, doubling previous detection rates. Since deployment, SmartView has been credited with solving over 400 cases and leading to 787 arrests.
Implementation Delayed by Legal and Technical Hurdles
The facial recognition rollout was originally targeted for end-2025 but has been postponed due to unresolved legal frameworks, technical adaptability requirements, and public acceptance considerations. "The adaptability of our colleagues, the level of acceptance among the public and the legal framework are all areas we are working on," Chow explained. "I hope that we can introduce it in the near future. I cannot say with certainty whether it will happen this year, but of course, I hope we can. If not, I hope it will be next year."
Senior Superintendent Eric Leung Ming-leung stated in July 2025 that "when our backend is ready, then facial recognition can be activated" in SmartView systems, indicating technical infrastructure was being prepared before delays occurred.
Security chief Chris Tang framed the technology as essential for public safety, stating that "artificial intelligence will naturally be applied to people, such as tracking a criminal suspect. That is something we must do."
Privacy Regulations Require Compliance Framework
The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance requires privacy impact assessments before any biometric analysis deployment. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data issued guidance in December 2025 emphasizing that organizations should disable facial recognition functions unless there is clearly justified and compelling need.
Commissioner Chow promised that "strict guidelines would be in place to ensure personal privacy was protected" and committed to notifying the public before facial recognition deployment.
However, critics note that Hong Kong police lack effective independent oversight for AI use in law enforcement, with privacy watchdogs not consulted on SmartView expansions, raising concerns about potential abuse without adequate human rights due diligence in procurement processes.
The SmartView system also operates in 60 police vehicles with license plate recognition capabilities, with facial recognition functionality planned for these mobile units as part of the broader deployment strategy.
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