Protesters in Hong Kong destroyed a “smart” lamppost on Saturday over fears that the device is equipped with facial recognition software and was being used for surveillance.
Video of the incident shows the base of the lamppost being cut with an electric saw before protesters use ropes to topple the device. Once the lamppost is on the ground, one protester proceeds to pour liquid into the device, presumably to ensure it no longer works.
Local authorities have claimed that the lampposts, which are outfitted with cameras and sensors, are only collecting data on air quality, weather, and traffic. Yet, protesters at the scene, who carried umbrellas in order to hide their faces, have raised concerns that the new lampposts were really intended to monitor the public.
“This isn’t a street light. This is a ‘smart’ lamppost equipped with cameras and facial recognition technology,” one Twitter user alleges. “They enable monitoring of Hong Kong, and therefore monitoring of protests. So the protesters are bringing them down.”
Video at the link.
