Kuwait deploys AI-powered smart cameras to strengthen national security, track wanted persons, fight crime
Kuwait is expanding its use of smart surveillance cameras and integrated security systems as part of a wider Ministry of Interior strategy to strengthen crime prevention, identify wanted persons and accelerate police response.
The Ministry’s Human Resources and Security Systems Sector is working to link government buildings and commercial facilities to an integrated security network, using advanced surveillance technology to support security personnel and protect citizens, residents and visitors.
Colonel Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Director of the Quality Management Department at the General Directorate of Security Systems, said the Ministry is pursuing a qualitative development of the country’s security infrastructure, including the wider deployment of smart cameras.
He said the system serves two primary security objectives: preventing crime and helping authorities identify offenders quickly when crimes occur. Smart cameras have already assisted security personnel in locating wanted individuals, he added, making the technology an important deterrent as well as an investigative tool.
Facial recognition and real-time alerts
A key development is the use of smart cameras on security patrols, which can employ facial recognition technology to identify wanted individuals.
First Lieutenant Engineer Afrah Al-Foudari of the Quality Management Department said that when a wanted person or vehicle is detected, an immediate alert is sent to the operations room, allowing security personnel to respond and take the necessary action. The smart patrols are also being used during security campaigns and inspection operations.
The Ministry is working toward greater integration between surveillance systems installed at facilities and its central security network. Government facilities and major commercial locations have already been connected, while work is under way to link hospitals, mosques and other places of worship.
Officials said the long-term objective is to achieve full integration between cameras at covered facilities and the Ministry of Interior’s security systems.
Strict protection of surveillance recordings
Alongside the expansion of surveillance, the Ministry is emphasizing strict legal controls over recorded footage. Al-Rabeeah said Article 6 of the legislation governing surveillance recordings protects the confidentiality of camera footage, and unauthorized disclosure or leaking of recordings can constitute a criminal offence.
He said anyone who unlawfully leaks footage from cameras at a facility where they work may face prosecution, with penalties that can include up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 dinars, or either penalty. He also clarified that the current rules provide for a minimum retention period of 120 days for surveillance recordings. The footage covers still and moving images and does not require audio recording.
The Ministry is highlighting these provisions through an awareness exhibition at the Ministries Complex, organized by the Human Resources Sector in cooperation with the Public Relations and Security Media Department.
Where cameras are required — and where they are banned
Al-Foudari said Decree-Law No. 76 of 2026, governing the regulation and installation of security cameras and monitoring devices, applies to designated establishments rather than private residences.
The covered categories include government buildings, commercial complexes, hotels, exchange companies, jewelry stores and fuel stations, among other facilities. Officials said there are 39 classifications of establishments covered by the legislation. Under the technical requirements, cameras are installed at locations including entrances, exits, floors, parking areas, elevators and staircases.
However, surveillance cameras are prohibited in areas where their use would violate personal privacy, including women’s salons and clubs, restrooms, massage rooms and changing rooms. Facilities are also required to display signs informing people that surveillance cameras are in operation and must comply with technical standards established by the Ministry of Interior.
Private cameras allowed, but privacy rules apply
The law does not require individuals to install surveillance cameras in their homes or vehicles. Officials said citizens and residents may voluntarily install such cameras to protect their property and rights. However, cameras installed at private properties must not be directed in a way that violates the privacy of neighbors. Officials said complaints involving cameras recording neighboring properties can be referred to police authorities and may constitute a violation of privacy protections.
Technology upgrades every five years
The Ministry is also maintaining a programme to keep surveillance infrastructure aligned with technological developments. Al-Rabeeah said cameras are updated and renewed every five years, with newer systems incorporating artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. The Ministry is continuing to assess technological developments and security specifications to ensure that surveillance equipment remains compatible with its broader security systems.
The expansion reflects the Ministry of Interior’s approach of combining physical security measures, centralized monitoring, artificial intelligence and rapid-response capabilities to strengthen crime prevention and improve the ability of security personnel to identify and apprehend wanted individuals.
