Nabeul Equipped with Surveillance Cameras at Intersections and City Entrances
The city of Nabeul has launched a "closed-circuit television" (CCTV) project, equipped with intelligent communication and facial recognition software, aiming to connect important sites in the city to surveillance cameras via the internet and link them to the city hall's control room. This initiative seeks to reduce traffic offenses at certain intersections, major crossroads, and arteries in the city, while also improving the administration's functioning level to achieve the required efficiency in various domains, including cleanliness and environmental protection, particularly in the fight against wild waste dumping.
According to Ahmed Helaili, head of the IT department at the Nabeul municipality, "The CCTV system, equipped with intelligent communication and facial recognition software, will enable the municipality to connect important sites in the city to surveillance cameras via the internet and link them to the city hall's control room, providing direct access for law enforcement to reduce traffic offenses and improve administrative efficiency."
The CCTV System
CCTV is a video surveillance system where images captured by cameras are transmitted to a restricted group of monitors, not publicly broadcast. Used for security, crime prevention, and recording, it consists of cameras, recorders, and screens.
Reactions from Nabeul Residents
Reactions to the announcement of the administrative authorization signature were mixed among Nabeul residents. A merchant welcomed the initiative, stating, "These surveillance cameras and facial recognition systems will undoubtedly reduce the crime rate, particularly burglaries, in the city. It's a solid argument for identifying and deterring offenders. We can only applaud such an initiative."
Concerns about Facial Recognition
However, in the absence of a comprehensive legal framework governing the use of surveillance cameras in public spaces, some fear the abusive use of CCTV and facial recognition technologies due to a lack of transparency and accountability. An IT specialist noted, "Tunisia lacks a comprehensive legal framework governing the use of surveillance cameras in public spaces. The situation is even more unclear regarding facial recognition. In practice, authorities can use these technologies at their discretion."
Regulatory Framework
In Tunisia, video surveillance is primarily governed by the Organic Law No. 2004-63 of July 27, 2004, on the protection of personal data, which requires prior authorization from the INPDP (National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data) for public spaces. The installation must be justified (security, property protection), signaled by signs, and not film private living areas or public spaces.
In Europe, public space video surveillance is strictly regulated to protect privacy, authorized mainly for authorities (municipalities) or professionals (merchants) to ensure security, prevent terrorism, or manage flows. It requires a prefectural authorization and, in some cases, an impact analysis (AIPD).
Global Examples
Several cities worldwide have adopted the CCTV system, including Paris (56,000 cameras), Madrid (25,000), Rome (22,000 cameras), Berlin (less than 9,000), and London, which has approximately 691,000 cameras in service, or about one camera per 13 inhabitants. However, with over 15 million cameras in 700 million surveillance systems in China, Shanghai is considered the most surveilled city in the world.
Read also: Nabeul Equipped with Surveillance Cameras at Intersections and City Entrances
