U.S. Cities Increase Surveillance Cameras, Raising Privacy Concerns
The number of surveillance cameras in U.S. cities has significantly increased over the past decade, with nearly 537,000 cameras operating across the 50 largest cities, according to Comparitech's 2024 U.S. Surveillance Camera Study. This equates to an average of about 11 cameras per 1,000 residents, with some cities like Atlanta having as many as 124 cameras per 1,000 residents. The increase in surveillance is aimed at improving safety and aiding law enforcement by deterring crime and providing crucial evidence. However, this growth has sparked concerns about privacy and data protection, as highlighted by civil liberties groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Brennan Center for Justice. 
