AI Law - International Review of Artificial Intelligence LawCC BY-NC-SA Commercial Licence ISSN 3035-5451
G. Giappichelli Editore

25/02/2025 - AI-Powered Crime Prevention: South Africa’s Innovative WhatsApp System (South Africa)

argument: Notizie/News - Criminal Law

Source: MyBroadband

MyBroadband reports on an innovative initiative in South Africa where AI technology is integrated with WhatsApp to fight crime. The system allows citizens to report incidents in real-time, which are then analyzed by AI algorithms to identify patterns, prioritize cases, and assist law enforcement in responding more efficiently.

This AI-driven platform has already contributed to solving several crimes, including burglaries and missing person cases, by analyzing data from user reports and highlighting potential threats. However, legal experts warn of significant privacy concerns, particularly regarding data protection and the ethical use of personal information submitted through the platform.

There is also debate over the risk of algorithmic bias influencing law enforcement responses, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in the system. Legal professionals emphasize the importance of establishing clear guidelines for data handling, transparency in AI decision-making, and accountability mechanisms to prevent misuse.