Smart lamppost toppled by protesters in HK amid rising violence

Hundreds of black-clad protesters clashed with riot police in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Saturday. Protesters threw bricks and gasoline bombs at police, who responded with tear gas, peppers pray and rubber bullets to disperse the mob after repeated warnings were futile.

Protesters pull a smart lamp post down using rope during a protest in Hong Kong, China, August 24, 2019. (Photo/Ta Kung Pao)

On August 24, protesters in helmets and gas-masks took to Kwun Tong District in Hong Kong, blocking roads, setting up barricades outside a local police station and tearing down at least one smart lamppost, which they claimed were equipped with closed-circuit cameras and facial recognition software. Protesters used an electric saw to slice through the bottom of a smart lamppost before pulling it down with ropes.

The government in Hong Kong said that the smart lampposts are not equipped with facial recognition software and “would not infringe upon personal privacy.” Instead, they only collect data on traffic, weather and air quality with 5G technology in order to promote the development of the smart city. Each street lamp costs HK$680,000 ($ 86,697).