Vancouver is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by setting up numerous new temporary surveillance cameras. City officials claim it is to enhance public safety, but privacy advocates are urging for a closer examination.
The city is expecting around 350,000 visitors at B.C. Place during the tournament, necessitating heightened safety and security measures. In preparation, warning signs indicating temporary surveillance placements are being posted near the stadium, sparking inquiries into the cameras’ utilization and data access.
Approximately 200 cameras will be deployed as part of FIFA’s mandate in zones linked to World Cup activities, encompassing B.C. Place, the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE, and training venues. The Vancouver Host Committee states that the cameras are presently being set up for testing purposes and will not be operational until the World Cup commences. During the trial phase, images captured will be obscured to safeguard privacy.
The committee assures that the cameras will be strictly utilized for public safety and will be dismantled post-tournament conclusion. However, concerns have been raised by privacy proponents regarding the sharing of footage, particularly with external entities like FIFA and security contractors.
Access to the surveillance footage will be confined to authorized personnel and managed in accordance with city policies and privacy regulations. Privacy advocates are apprehensive about data leaving city control and potentially being accessed by entities outside Canada.
The Vancouver Host Committee emphasizes that all footage will adhere to city CCTV protocols and provincial privacy laws, with data transmission occurring through secure Canadian infrastructure and local storage. The surveillance rollout coincides with a temporary bylaw sanctioned by the Vancouver city council to regulate various aspects during the World Cup, including street vending and entertainment, with penalties for non-compliance.
Similar to past major events, such as the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver is bolstering security measures ahead of the World Cup. The proliferation of surveillance tools for such events has raised concerns about the lasting impact on public spaces and personal privacy. Host cities like London and Paris have also implemented extensive surveillance measures for previous Olympic Games, prompting vigilance against potential ongoing surveillance post-event.
The Vancouver Host Committee assures the removal of all cameras post-World Cup, emphasizing their temporary nature for the tournament’s security needs.