Berlin pilot project launches automated video surveillance

• Berlin has initiated a pilot program for automated behavioral analysis via video surveillance at Kottbusser Tor, with plans to expand to other high-crime areas by 2027.
• The system uses software developed by Staige GmbH and implemented by Adesso SE to flag specific movement or behavioral patterns for human review.
• The project faces significant scrutiny regarding data privacy, potential discrimination, and the risk of eroding anonymity in public spaces.

Implementation Timeline and Scope

• Kottbusser Tor: Currently in a four-week pilot phase.
• Alexanderplatz and Warschauer Brücke: Scheduled for deployment by the end of 2026.
• Görlitzer Park, Rote Rathaus, the Senate Department for Interior, and the Jewish Museum: Planned for 2027.
• Financials: The initial investment for the Kottbusser Tor project is approximately €1.89 million, with annual operating costs estimated at €349,000.

Concerns and Legal Context

• Meike Kamp, Berlin's Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, is investigating the project's adherence to legal standards, including the EU's Law Enforcement Directive.
• Critics argue that the definition of "high-crime areas" (kriminalitätsbelastete Orte) under Section 17a of the Berlin Security and Order Act (ASOG) is too broad, justifying intrusive surveillance.
• While the law explicitly forbids automated biometric remote identification (such as gait or facial recognition), manual profiling remains a technical possibility using stored footage.
• There are concerns about false positives and the potential for a "chilling effect" where citizens avoid public parks or plazas to maintain anonymity.

Political Implications

• The future of these surveillance measures depends on the outcome of the Berlin state elections.
• The Left Party (Die Linke) and the Green Party have challenged the current police law, arguing for reduced surveillance powers and questioning the necessity of automated behavioral tracking.