Montenegro's Facial Recognition Software Installation Sparks Privacy Concerns

The Montenegrin interior ministry has installed facial recognition software in public spaces in Podgorica, Bar, and Budva, sparking concerns about legal safeguards and potential pitfalls. The software, known as Better Tomorrow and now rebranded as OnWatch, was purchased from Israeli firm Any Vision, which is now known as Oosto.

The installation includes facial recognition cameras, although those in Bar and Budva are not yet fully operational. This technology is an artificial intelligence-based 'tactical surveillance system' capable of detecting and tracking 'persons of interest' in real-time.

Digital rights activists have voiced significant concerns about the implications of such surveillance systems. Bojan Perkov, a policy researcher at the Belgrade-based SHARE Foundation, highlighted the risk to public privacy, noting that the system processes biometric data of all individuals within its range. 'The one who controls the system can, without consent, retroactively or in real-time monitor the movements of all citizens and, if needed, cross-check that data with other databases and, based on that, make different conclusions and decisions,' Perkov said.

The lack of transparency from the Montenegrin interior ministry has further fueled concerns. The ministry has not responded to questions regarding the use of facial recognition technology, leading to calls for stronger legal regulations. Veselin Radulovic, a Montenegrin lawyer, emphasized the need for robust laws to govern the deployment and use of such surveillance systems.

Internationally, the Better Tomorrow software has a controversial history. It was reportedly used by the Israeli military in 2019 for covert surveillance of Palestinians in the West Bank. This connection has added another layer of concern regarding the ethical implications of its use in Montenegro.

The installation of facial recognition software in Montenegro raises critical questions about privacy, transparency, and the balance between security and civil liberties. As the debate continues, the call for comprehensive legal frameworks to regulate such technologies becomes increasingly urgent.

Key Takeaways

• Montenegro installs facial recognition software in 3 cities: Podgorica, Bar, and Budva.
• Software, "OnWatch", purchased from Israeli firm Oosto (formerly Any Vision).
• System can detect and track "persons of interest" in real-time, raising privacy concerns.
• Lack of transparency from Montenegrin interior ministry sparks calls for stronger regulations.
• Software has controversial history, used by Israeli military for covert surveillance of Palestinians.