Smart public space surveillance is a reality of the Mauritian landscape. Thousands of smart cameras with facial and number plate recognition dot the tiny island. Most citizens are oblivious of their existence and their possible infringements on their liberties and freedoms. Understanding the implications of such smart technology is imperative. The main research question explores whether the Data Protection Act 2017 offers sufficient protection and coverage when it comes to public space surveillance.
This report will chart out the presence and evolution of public space surveillance, and zoom in on one of the most recent additions – the Mauritius safe city, which is costing the Mauritian public purse an astronomical amount. Attention will also focus on the legal and digital implications brought by public space surveillance systems.