A new deal signed between Albania and the United Arab Emirates that will bring high-tech cameras and radars to Albanian cities, has triggered concerns over potential mass surveillance.
The agreement, signed on Sunday in Tirana in the presence of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, involves the installation of AI-powered equipment as part of a “Smart City” project.
The Albanian authorities have said the project is a step toward improving urban safety by, for example, keeping crime rates down and improving traffic flow. Former Interior Minister Taulant Balla, who signed an earlier memorandum with Presight AI, the UAE company behind “Smart City” in 2024, called it “an investment in the security and well-being of our citizens.”
However, the deal's apparent secrecy has fueled fears over potential human rights violations.
“The public has the right to know what technologies are being used by their city authorities and why; what data will be collected and processed and for what purposes,” said Marwa Fatafta, a digital rights expert at Access Now, an NGO, which, according to its website, “defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk.”
The investigative journalism group BIRN Albania reported that Presight AI is part of the G42 group, an Emirati AI development holding company, which has faced accusations of ties to the Chinese government and involvement in human rights abuses.
The U.S. House of Representatives has also raised concerns over G42’s connections to surveillance activities.
Despite official assurances, critics also argue that Albania’s weak data protection laws and lack of AI regulations heighten risks.
“For any interference and restriction of fundamental rights, authorities must guarantee legality, proportionality and accountability,” said digital security researcher Maggie Recchi.
The Albanian authorities have said the project is a step toward improving urban safety by, for example, keeping crime rates down and improving traffic flow. Former Interior Minister Taulant Balla, who signed an earlier memorandum with Presight AI, the UAE company behind “Smart City” in 2024, called it “an investment in the security and well-being of our citizens.”
However, the deal's apparent secrecy has fueled fears over potential human rights violations.
“The public has the right to know what technologies are being used by their city authorities and why; what data will be collected and processed and for what purposes,” said Marwa Fatafta, a digital rights expert at Access Now, an NGO, which, according to its website, “defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk.”
The investigative journalism group BIRN Albania reported that Presight AI is part of the G42 group, an Emirati AI development holding company, which has faced accusations of ties to the Chinese government and involvement in human rights abuses.
The U.S. House of Representatives has also raised concerns over G42’s connections to surveillance activities.
Despite official assurances, critics also argue that Albania’s weak data protection laws and lack of AI regulations heighten risks.
“For any interference and restriction of fundamental rights, authorities must guarantee legality, proportionality and accountability,” said digital security researcher Maggie Recchi.
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