GermanyThe Berlin police have selected new software to monitor public spaces, which categorizes human behavior as either 'neutral' or 'problematic.' This system includes specialized cameras that provide images for analysis. The first camera is expected to be installed at Kottbusser Tor by the end of September, marking the beginning of automated, warrantless surveillance in public areas. Critics argue that such systems shift crime rather than reduce it and raise concerns about discrimination against homeless individuals, as the technology may trigger alerts for harmless activities like lying down. Similar systems are already in use in cities like Mannheim and Hamburg, and several German states have approved or plan to approve this type of automated behavioral monitoring. The software vendor remains undisclosed.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the implementation of the surveillance system and critical perspectives from opposition parties and civil society. It does not favor one side over the other but highlights concerns about privacy, discrimination, and effectiveness while describing the technical aspects of a
