The Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for “national security” in Hong Kong, John Chan, stated that the installation of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) has benefits for the “overall society and national security.” He mentioned that they will explore how to use CCTV to gather intelligence and noted that there are still national security risks in Hong Kong. Some critics view Chan’s comments as damaging Hong Kong’s reputation, indirectly issuing a global travel warning for the city. Furthermore, some scholars point out that the Hong Kong government’s installation of CCTV cameras is a further step towards “mainlandization” and exacerbates human rights violations.
In April, authorities began installing CCTV cameras in Mong Kok, some of which are supplied by a company accused of monitoring Uyghur people. The government plans to install 2,000 cameras annually across Hong Kong and is considering incorporating facial recognition technology.
During a television interview on the 7th, John Chan claimed that there are ongoing instances of “soft resistance” in Hong Kong, citing examples such as children’s books in “Yellow Village” and the sale of provocative items as forms of “soft resistance.”
Scholar Chung Kim Wah, specializing in social policy and public administration in Hong Kong, stated in an interview that the government’s enhanced surveillance and intimidation tactics severely violate human rights. He believes that the unclear boundaries in using CCTV footage in Hong Kong’s political environment are detrimental to citizens’ freedom and privacy.
The host of the internet TV program “Flag Rising Easily,” Ho Ka-Chi, accused John Chan of tarnishing Hong Kong’s image with his remarks, suggesting that it serves as a warning to potential tourists globally.
Critics argue that the Hong Kong government’s push for CCTV mirrors mainland China’s stringent surveillance practices. Concerns have been raised about the lack of oversight in how law enforcement agencies utilize technologies like facial recognition.
Authorities have been steadily expanding the “CCTV installation plan for crime hotspots” since March, starting with the installation of cameras in Mong Kok. The government has allocated funds for upgrading infrastructure to enhance crime prevention measures, including cases related to both public safety and national security concerns.
In May, the police department requested a significant budget for establishing a central digital image platform for storing evidence, intending to introduce facial recognition capabilities. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of effective mechanisms to supervise law enforcement agencies’ use of these technologies.
The Human Rights Information Centre of Hong Kong has expressed worries about the increased deployment of technologies like facial recognition without proper oversight in place. The lack of opposition within the legislature to scrutinize police actions could lead to severe human rights violations under the pretext of national security.
In a June interview, Security Bureau Chief John Tang revealed plans to install 2,000 additional CCTV cameras across Hong Kong by the 2024/25 fiscal year, with an annual installation target of 2,000 units. The deployment locations would prioritize high-risk or high-crime areas, and the project would be rolled out in phases based on technological advancements and engineering progress.
These developments have sparked concerns over the diminishing privacy rights and the potential abuse of surveillance technologies in Hong Kong, with fears that actions categorized under national security may go unchecked, leading to significant human rights violations.