In a ranking based on a number of data resources and reports, focusing on CCTV cameras used by government entities, these are the top 10 of the world’s most-surveilled cities:

As shown on the research, eight out of the top ten cities are in China. Chongqing, with almost 2.6 million CCTV cameras, is in first place. London and Atlanta are the only two non-Chinese cities in the top 10.

Many people think that with the increasing of the prevalence and capabilities of CCTV surveillance, our society could be safer and crime prevention would be improved.

There is no doubt that surveillance helps to increase public safety. Police can find suspects through surveillance videos and these cameras also deter crimes.

Though public CCTV cameras improve law enforcement and crime prevention, it seems that the amounts of the cameras and social safety are not inevitably linked.

Compared with the reports by Comparitech and Numbeo, the correlation between the number of cameras and safety index was weak, which means that more cameras doesn’t necessarily result in people feeling safer.

There is concern that the enhancement of transparency might constitute invasion of personal privacy and freedom.

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By 2020, China is anticipated to have more than 626 million CCTV cameras, in other words, there will be one public CCTV camera for every two people in China in the near future.

With the development of technology, facial recognition and artificial intelligence are applied in surveillance.

When you pass by a CCTV camera, you will be instantly checked the identity. The facial recognition technology checks your face against a database, and AI helps the analysis of video surveillance.

Now you may get caught if you want to go through a red light, because facial recognition is also being applied to identify and fine traffic violators in China, including drivers and pedestrians.

© Image | 信息时报