4,000 AI Cameras Coming to Rabat: Security Boost or Privacy Threat?

Morocco World

20-03-2025

Doha – Rabat will install an advanced surveillance system featuring 4,000 AI-powered cameras with facial recognition capabilities by the end of 2025. With a budget estimated at MAD 108 million ($10.8 million), the ambitious project aims to transform the capital into a smart, secure city through cutting-edge technology.
The project has been divided into two distinct components, according to official documents. The first focuses on building command centers and data infrastructure, and it was awarded to Finatech Group, led by CEO and founder Omar Lataoui, for MAD 34.79 million ($3.48 million).
The second, a larger component involving the actual surveillance system installation, went to Alomra Group International, headed by president and founder Driss Benomar, for MAD 73.82 million ($7.38 million).
The surveillance network will incorporate several advanced camera types, including panoramic pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, facial recognition cameras, and long-range monitoring devices. These will be strategically positioned throughout Rabat's public spaces to ensure comprehensive coverage.
The cameras will be equipped with automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology and artificial intelligence capabilities that can analyze behavior patterns in real-time.
Implementation timelines are tight, with the first component expected to be completed within 5 months and the second within 6 months, making the entire system operational before year's end.
Two main command centers will be established to centralize monitoring operations, supported by state-of-the-art data centers built to international standards.
Why now?
The timing of this implementation is no coincidence, according to Anas Abou El Kalam, Head of Cybersecurity Department at Cadi Ayyad University. 'This project comes as Morocco prepares to host major international sporting, cultural, political, and scientific events, primarily the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup,' he told Morocco World News (MWN).
Abou El Kalam stressed that the project aligns with rising cross-border security threats. 'It coincides with increasing terrorist threats and security risks that transcend borders, making it necessary to establish an integrated digital security system capable of early detection and rapid, effective intervention to protect citizens, visitors, and vital facilities,' he elaborated.
'The Moroccan government considers investment in these technologies an integral part of its Vision 2030, including the Digital Strategy 2030,' Abou El Kalam explained. 'This is not only to enhance technology use but also to protect internal security and improve Morocco's international image as a safe country capable of proactive, multi-dimensional response—intelligence and technological—to all internal and external threats, as well as hosting major global events.'
The Rabat project represents just the first phase of a more ambitious national plan. 'This is only the first stage of an ambitious national plan that seeks to gradually extend the smart surveillance system to other major cities such as Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir, especially with the approach of major sporting and tourism events,' Abou El Kalam detailed.
Abdelmajid Charrass, Associate Professor at Sultan Moulay Slimane University, told MWN that if successful in Rabat, 'the system could be expanded to other cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier.'
However, he warned that such expansion faces several challenges, including 'high costs of establishing a comprehensive surveillance system across multiple cities, the need for strong infrastructure, and legal preparations to safeguard citizens' privacy.'
Abou El Kalam further spoke of the technical complexities, notingthe massive data volume (Big Data) generated by thousands of cameras, the need for digital infrastructure capable of real-time storage and processing, and networking challenges for securing communications between distributed monitoring centers. Security breakthrough
The new surveillance system promises immense security benefits through its advanced capabilities. The facial recognition function will allow cameras to capture facial features and compare them against security databases, enabling authorities to identify persons of interest within seconds.
The system will employ deep learning algorithms that can detect suspicious behavior patterns and automatically flag unusual activities in crowded areas. This capability is an upgrade from traditional surveillance that relies solely on human monitoring.
'This project marks a significant step forward in modernizing urban security management through technology, reinforcing Rabat's position as a progressive city,' Charrass told MWN.
He pointed out how the system would improve traffic management by 'tracking vehicle movements, identifying traffic violations, and optimizing traffic flow.'
Abou El Kalam noted similar systems have proven effective internationally. 'London was one of the first cities to adopt a wide network of smart cameras, which effectively contributed to thwarting several terrorist operations and major crimes,' he said.
'Singapore employs a smart monitoring system that analyzes movements of individuals and vehicles and detects any suspicious behaviors in real-time,' the cybersecurity expert added. 'China has implemented one of the world's largest facial recognition networks, used to monitor millions of people and combat crime.'
The deployment will include a fiber optic network infrastructure and CAT 6A cabling to ensure high-speed data transmission between cameras and control centers. AI-equipped servers will process video feeds instantly, allowing for real-time analytics and facial matching against databases.
The system will feed all data to a central operations room where security experts will analyze information and make immediate decisions based on precise available data. This approach aims to drastically reduce response times to security incidents and traffic violations.
Privacy battleground
As with every major leap in security innovation, the implementation of such advanced surveillance technology comes with profound privacy concerns. 'The introduction of smart surveillance systems has sparked debate about their impact on privacy and individual freedoms,' Charrass cautioned.
To address these concerns, he emphasized the need for 'transparency in system operations so that citizens understand how it works and its intended purpose' and 'monitoring the use of technology to prevent it from being exploited for restrictions on freedoms or unlawful purposes.'
Abou El Kalam asserted that while such projects enhance security for citizens and increase the speed of security interventions, 'the use of this technology inevitably leads to collecting massive data that must be legally and technically framed, otherwise these systems turn into tools for excessive monitoring and restriction of individual freedoms.'
He outlined several necessary safeguards: 'Clear and strict legislation governing how personal data is collected, stored, and used, with defined responsibilities and accountability for any violations.'
Best practices for such systems typically include stringent data retention policies where footage is automatically deleted after a predetermined period unless flagged for investigation. Public spaces should include visible notifications about camera surveillance, and citizens should have channels to inquire about data collection practices.
He exhorted the necessity of oversight, stating: 'It must involve the National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection in project monitoring; subjecting the system to independent oversight from human rights bodies, associations, and judicial authorities; adopting encryption techniques and limiting data retention periods.'
Cybersecurity challenge
Charrass raised a red flag about the formidable challenge that Cybersecurity poses. 'As technology advances, so does cybercrime, making surveillance systems themselves vulnerable to hacking or technical failures,' he warned.
Security experts forewarn that systems like these could become targets for sophisticated cyberattacks aimed at accessing sensitive data or disrupting security operations. Protection measures typically include end-to-end encryption, segmented network architecture, and continuous vulnerability assessments.
He hammered home the importance of 'securing data against cyberattacks that could lead to information breaches' and 'conducting regular security audits to ensure the system's resilience against digital threats.'
The centralization of surveillance data creates what security experts call a 'honeypot' – an attractive target for hackers. Advanced intrusion detection systems and 24/7 monitoring of the security infrastructure itself will be essential for maintaining data integrity.
The project's success ultimately hinges on striking the right balance between security enhancement and privacy protection. As Morocco forges ahead in its digital transformation journey, a pressing question looms, according to Charrasst: 'How to ensure that technology is used responsibly and fairly?'