The rapid adoption of new technologies is transforming cities into digital and smart environments, enhancing urban life while raising concerns about civil rights and ethics. Cities and local and regional authorities recognise both the opportunities and risks associated with technological advancements, particularly in security and governance.

Technology is a valuable tool for municipalities, complementing existing resources based on their effectiveness in specific situations. However, digital crime is often intertwined with organised crime, necessitating a broad approach to tackling criminal activities. Municipalities need to be supported by their national governments when implementing national cyber security plans, and more broadly to safeguard their systems and governance from cyber threats. Despite the growing impact of technology on urban security, innovation and foresight remain absent from local security policies. AI, mobile apps, social networks, Big Data, facial recognition… These technologies are reshaping security strategies, but they are also an opportunity to foster increased citizen participation. However, they pose ethical challenges regarding privacy and fundamental rights.

As AI is set to play an increasing role in all aspects of public governance, including urban security, the importance of communication, transparency and citizen engagement in the development and regulation of AI is key. It is imperative to mitigate potential risks while maximising AI’s benefits. 

> Recommendations from the 2025 Security, Democracy and Cities manifesto

> Reports from the 2024 Security, Democracy and Cities conference
– How cities fight cybercrime and what are their roles
– Technology and AI: Opportunities and threats

> Positioning 

In its 2025 Security, Democracy and Cities manifesto, Efus says that the use of technology must not lead to “ignoring  the complex causes of underlying insecurity nor to limiting crime prevention to mere technical risk management.” It calls for better training local and regional authority staff, and for systematically embedding the right to privacy and other fundamental rights in the use of such technologies. Furthermore, it advocates for using technology to foster increased citizen participation in urban security policies and programmes. Lastly, it calls local and regional authorities to ensure that the use of technology in providing services “does not  increase social inequalities, especially for the most vulnerable and digitally  marginalised populations.”