A city with a thousand eyes: mass surveillance in Belgrade

Modern video surveillance is a far cry from its clumsy predecessor. As technology has improved, and camera prices plummeted, surveillance en masse is likely coming to a city near you. Belgrade is one such city, experiencing the roll-out of thousands of cameras as part of a so-called “Safe Society” project. Installed without any public debate, nor a strong legal framework protecting digital and civil rights, concern by local civil society is high. Facial recognition in public spaces is one tool to fight crime, but residents must ask themselves, should this highly intrusive measure trump the privacy of all citizens?

Photo: Benedikt Geyer on Unsplash