Thread by @rossamcmahon

I’ve been quoted saying Limerick’s #cctv scheme uses tech akin to regimes like China. I don’t make comparison lightly - seems alarmist but is literally true.

Via @FredPLogue I see alarming prospect that deep learning & AI envisaged. This slide from a @LimerickCouncil update.

Remember: this deep learning and AI would be overlayed on a network of cameras that count footfall, keep a record of the reg of every car passing (24hrs/day), can recognise faces and patterns.

These technologies only make sense (or value for money) if you have software (and algorithms) that can process the vast amounts of data collected. And use the results to what? Create reports? Alerts?

Like? theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Installing this technology only makes sense if you are going to use it in a way which, in fact, means the constant, active surveillance of everyone.

If it was just crime/public order, you only need the traditional camera that records & stores for set periods. This is not that.

Limerick will be a pilot. If it continues you will find it copied. And we will all live under constant surveillance without being told at the outset for what purposes. I would call it the thin end of the wedge, except it’s not that thin.

You might by instinct not object to CCTV. But (a) has any evidence been examined by @LimerickCouncil to determine whether it is or will be effective and (b) is it value for money?

That’s before even getting to (c) DPA & GDPR.

Some international resources:

(1) US: epic.org/privacy/survei…

(2) UK: liberty-human-rights.org.uk/human-rights/p…

(3) IE: digitalrights.ie/category/mass-…