As the eve of the Olympics opening ceremony dawns, Paris finds itself transformed into a fortress. Forty thousand barriers now crisscross the French capital while police officers, clad in stab vests, patrol the picturesque cobblestone streets. Only those pre-approved and issued with a personal QR code can access the Seine River, while khaki-clad soldiers, a constant presence since the 2015 terrorist attacks, stand guard near canal-side boulangeries, their berets perched on their heads and large guns ready.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has spent the past week defending these extensive measures, emphasising vigilance over overkill. He declared that France is confronting the “biggest security challenge any country has ever had to organise in a time of peace.” Speaking to reporters, Darmanin disclosed the detection of “potentially dangerous individuals” attempting to work or volunteer at the Olympics, which included 257 radical Islamists, 181 far-left activists, and 95 far-right extremists. Additionally, a Russian citizen was recently arrested for allegedly plotting “large-scale” acts of “destabilisation” during the Games.
Despite the necessity for security, Parisians have voiced frustration over road closures and abruptly ending bike lanes.Human rights groups have also raised alarms, citing “unacceptable risks to fundamental rights.” However, such complaints are not new; previous Olympics have faced similar scrutiny, earning monikers like Lockdown London, Fortress Tokyo, and the “arms race” in Rio.
This year, the most contentious aspect of security in Paris is the deployment of advanced AI algorithms to monitor CCTV footage. Initially tested at two Depeche Mode concerts in March, these algorithms are now prepared to monitor transport stations for potential threats during the Olympics.
The use of AI to enhance CCTV footage analysis marks a significant shift in security measures. “The software is an extension of the police,” explains Noémie Levain of the activist group La Quadrature du Net, which opposes AI surveillance. “The eyes of the police have multiplied.”
A small sign at the Porte de Pantin metro station informs passersby that the AI-equipped surveillance cameras are part of a “video surveillance analysis experiment.” The company running the Paris metro, RATP, states that the system may use “automated analysis in real time” of CCTV images. This experiment will continue until March 2025.
AI surveillance offers a glimpse into the future of security systems, where the volume of footage exceeds the human capacity for monitoring. Cofounder Matthias Houllier of Wintics, a company that provides these algorithms, explains that the technology alerts operators to unusual activities, enabling quicker responses. “What we’re doing is transforming CCTV cameras into a powerful monitoring tool,” Houllier says.
Wintics, originally used to count cyclists for traffic planning, now uses similar technology to identify and alert authorities to crowd surges, abandoned objects, and other potential threats. Houllier argues that this approach is a privacy-friendly alternative to facial recognition systems used in past global events, focusing on anonymous shapes rather than personal data.
Despite assurances, privacy advocates remain unconvinced. Levain argues that the technology still processes personal data, equating it to facial recognition. “This technology will reproduce the stereotypes of the police,” she warns. “It will help them target the same areas and individuals, perpetuating discrimination.”
Levain and other Parisians are concerned about the long-term impact of these surveillance systems after the Olympics. Many, like Levain, plan to leave Paris during the Games, concerned about the intensified security measures. “The Olympics is an excuse,” she says. “The government, companies, and police are already planning for what comes after.”
As Paris gears up for the world’s biggest sporting event, the city’s transformation into a high-security zone raises questions about the balance between safety and civil liberties. While advanced AI surveillance may promise enhanced security, the potential implications for privacy and freedom linger in the minds of many Parisians.
