The National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (Cnil) has mandated that the city of Nice, led by Mayor Christian Estrosi, deactivate its augmented cameras designed for enhanced surveillance.

This decision, communicated in a letter dated May 20, 2025, cites concerns over the legal framework surrounding such technology and its implications for individuals' rights and freedoms.

Located in central Nice, the Urban Supervision Center employs 77 augmented cameras, which utilize algorithms to monitor public spaces.

One feature includes the identification of 'intrusion zones,' where alerts are triggered if a vehicle remains stationary in front of specific locations, such as schools, for over five minutes.

This system was part of Mayor Estrosi's vision to turn Nice into a "testing ground" for advanced security measures.

However, the implementation of these systems has faced scrutiny, as highlighted by the Cnil's findings.

The commission pointed out that the functionalities deployed do not align with current legal allowances, necessitating immediate cessation of their operation.

The order effectively limits the local government's capacity to enforce its proposed security policies, impacting Nice's approach to urban surveillance.

This directive has led to public debate regarding the balance between security measures and the safeguarding of civil liberties, reflecting broader concerns in France and across Europe about the use of surveillance technologies in urban environments.

Mayor Estrosi's response to the Cnil's decision underscores the ongoing tension between municipal governance and regulatory oversight on matters of privacy and civil rights.