Opinion: Brazil’s Crime Rates May Fall Thanks to Tech

Brazilian cities are investing heavily in crime-fighting technology, and São Paulo leads the way with a facial recognition system launched in 2024. The system uses cameras placed throughout the city, on streets, buses, and even police motorbikes, to identify wanted individuals, locate missing persons, and detect stolen vehicles.

Researchers at O Panóptico have identified 560 active facial-recognition projects across more than 20 Brazilian states. These projects extend beyond policing, with some schools now using cameras for attendance.

Currently, the technology surveys over 99 million people, representing more than 47% of Brazil’s population. By 2028, São Paulo plans to double its camera network to 100,000, suggesting a continued reliance on this approach to public safety. The effectiveness of these widespread systems and their impact on civil liberties remain open questions.