China's public security authorities have equipped over 1.3 million active police officers with body-worn cameras that record the entire law enforcement process, it was announced today at a press conference by the Ministry of Public Security.
In recent years, the Chinese police have been implementing a system to record the entire law enforcement process, documenting stages such as case reporting, on-the-spot law enforcement, and interrogation in audiovisual formats subject to digital supervision.
The objective is to ensure that law enforcement missions are fully recorded and traceable, stated Chen Min, an official from the Ministry, at the press conference.
Law Enforcement
The activities of police and relevant personnel within physical facilities dedicated to law enforcement and case management are also recorded by surveillance equipment covering all angles and operating 24/7, which effectively standardizes law enforcement and case management procedures.
Throughout the entire criminal interrogation process, live audiovisual recording is a strict requirement to regulate police activities and protect the rights of criminal suspects.
The establishment of this comprehensive recording mechanism for law enforcement has played a significant role in standardizing police practices, improving case management efficiency, ensuring the performance of police functions based on the law, and protecting the legal rights and interests of individuals, affirmed Chen.
World's Largest System
China has the world's largest surveillance camera system, with approximately 700 million cameras and a high density of devices in its cities, such as Shanghai.
These cameras use advanced artificial intelligence technology, like facial recognition, to monitor the population and prevent crimes.
Chinese companies like Hikvision and Dahua are global leaders in manufacturing these systems.
According to estimates published by Statista, the surveillance technology industry exceeded $148 billion last year and is projected to grow to $235 billion by 2028. This includes the necessary software for monitoring behavior and activities, as well as for managing information, adds the data platform.
In China, the business of digital panopticons is fueled by local companies. In Shanghai, for instance, the City Brain developed by Alibaba uses artificial intelligence to solve transportation, security, and urban planning issues. Connected to the brain of Pudong, more than 290,000 cameras capable of facial recognition and thousands of microphones with a range of up to 90 meters feed data to allow AI to anticipate certain events.
