Responsible use of artificial intelligence for crime prevention in South Africa

‘Smart’ technologies are being used in public policing and private security operations across the country. The opaque nature of current data collection and processing activities, and a lack of policy direction on the use of emerging technologies in crime prevention, means that government officials and the wider public have limited guidance on what are acceptable practices in this space. This Topical Guide provides examples of the use of surveillance technologies for crime prevention in South Africa, and comments on the social and legal implications of data-driven technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), for these applications. The Guide also reviews policy material that advocates for the use of technology in law enforcement and highlights critical issues to consider in the operationalisation of these technologies. These issues include potential infringements on the right to privacy and freedom of movement, the possible risks of state-sanctioned discrimination, and the criminalisation of communities. Achieving a more ethical, legally sound and socially responsible use of data and AI for crime prevention will require: stronger alignment between criminal procedure and protection of information legislation, a better understanding of privacy in public spaces, and the adoption of measures and standard procedures to mitigate against biased and unlawful use of these technologies.