In a formal ceremony in Abu Dhabi in April 2024, Albania’s former Minister of Interior, Taulant Balla, signed a memorandum of understanding with 'Presight AI,' a company under the UAE-based G42 group.
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| Taulant Balla and Peng Xiao during the memorandum signing ceremony with Presight AI in Abu Dhabi |
The agreement envisions the installation of an advanced network of cameras and radars across Albania’s major cities, promising to enhance public safety and transform traffic management through cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies.
However, the agreement, classified as secret by the Albanian government, has sparked concerns among human rights activists and privacy experts who warn of potential abuse and lack of transparency in such projects.
The involvement of 'Presight AI,' a subsidiary of G42—which faces accusations of ties to the Chinese government and human rights violations—has further intensified concerns, raising serious questions about the security of personal data and the sovereignty of information collected by the system.
Marwa Fatafta, a digital rights expert for the Middle East and North Africa region at 'Access Now,' told BIRN that the secretive nature of this agreement raises serious concerns about the Albanian government’s intentions.
"The public has the right to know what technologies their authorities are deploying in their cities and why; what data will be collected and processed, and for what purposes; and most importantly, which public or private agencies will have access to their personal data," she stated.
"Without this knowledge, it will be more difficult for people to challenge implemented systems or seek justice when unfairly affected," Fatafta added.
The ‘Smart City’ Project
In response to an information request, Albania’s Ministry of Interior told BIRN that the 'Smart City' project emerged from a cooperation memorandum between Tirana and Abu Dhabi aimed at combating organized crime and security-related matters.
"Through the use of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis Systems, the 'Smart City' project aims to enhance efficiency and urban sustainability, improve public safety by preventing and documenting criminal offenses through technological investments, and educate the community," the ministry stated.
According to the Ministry, this memorandum was signed based on Law No. 145/2020, "On the Ratification of the Economic Cooperation Agreement Between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the United Arab Emirates."
In an interview on the TV Klan program ‘Opinion’ on May 30, 2024, former Interior Minister Taulant Balla stated that the project would expand to Tirana and 19 other cities across the country.
Experts argue that Albania’s data protection and security system is weak, and mass surveillance through cameras is considered one of the most severe privacy intrusions. Consequently, the risks associated with the 'Smart City' project are deemed high.
"For any intervention and restriction of fundamental rights, authorities must guarantee legality, proportionality, and accountability—choosing the least restrictive or harmful measure and providing justifications in a transparent manner," said Megi Reçi, a legal expert and researcher on digital security.
"To our knowledge, the government has not made any public analysis or evaluation on this matter but has only communicated the measure," she added.
"Above all, there must be transparency regarding the digital security measures taken for these technologies, including risk assessments, audits, and procedures in place to ensure the protection of privacy rights, freedom of expression, and safeguards against discrimination during their use," Reçi emphasized.
She pointed out that the project includes the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), while Albania lacks the proper legal framework to provide fundamental guarantees for protecting citizens' privacy and rights—such as banning biometric facial surveillance in public spaces. Reçi noted that the AI methodology approved by the government in 2024 is not a legal act, is highly limited, and does not address the numerous concerns raised by AI-driven mass surveillance.
According to Marwa Fatafta, governments and corporations often use techno-optimistic narratives to promote "smart," "innovative," "sustainable," or "efficient" cities. However, these so-called "smart cities" are, in essence, surveillance projects built upon the mass collection and processing of people’s personal data without their knowledge or consent.
"Despite claims of improving living standards and public safety, AI-driven surveillance systems, such as biometric facial recognition, enable mass surveillance and discrimination through monitoring," she said.
"These tools have the capacity to identify, track, and monitor people wherever they go, infringing upon their fundamental rights and freedoms—including privacy, data protection, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and the right to equality and non-discrimination," Fatafta emphasized.
She further stated that the impact of such surveillance architecture is even more severe in non-democratic or semi-democratic countries, where transparency, rule of law, and access to fair legal processes are weak.
"Under state surveillance, a chilling effect is created, altering people’s behaviors and further infringing upon their rights," Fatafta explained.
Chinese Ties
'Presight AI' is a data and artificial intelligence company registered in Abu Dhabi. It is part of the G42 group, whose board chairman is Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security advisor and its major shareholder. Meanwhile, its CEO is Peng Xiao.
Before leading G42, Xiao was an executive at Pegasus LLC, a subsidiary of the UAE-based cybersecurity company 'DarkMatter.' This company was previously investigated for hiring former U.S. intelligence agents to work for UAE authorities in a program targeting human rights activists and journalists.
A special committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has also raised concerns over G42’s connections to Chinese authorities, requesting the Department of Commerce to investigate the company and its affiliates, including Presight AI.
In a letter to the department in January 2024, the Special Committee on the Chinese Communist Party questioned Xiao’s ties to China and the involvement of DarkMatter in human rights violations.
"According to documents reviewed by the Committee, G42’s CEO, Peng Xiao, operates and is connected to a vast network of companies based in the UAE and China, which develop dual-use technology and significantly support China’s military-industrial complex and human rights abuses," wrote committee chairman Mike Gallagher.
"DarkMatter is a subsidiary of G42 that develops spyware and surveillance tools that can be used to spy on dissidents, journalists, politicians, and U.S. companies," he added.
According to Marwa Fatafta from Access Now, the fact that the Albanian government is keeping its agreement with 'Presight AI' secret raises serious concerns, especially given G42’s questionable track record regarding human rights and its involvement in surveillance activities.
"Such projects, which could pose significant risks to the public and their rights, must be conducted with full transparency and in consultation with human rights and data protection experts in the country," she said.
"Albanian authorities must prioritize protecting their citizens’ rights to privacy and data security," Fatafta concluded.