Digital innovation and legal protection in China’s predictive policing

China’s public security bureaus have adopted data-driven predictive policing as a core law enforcement strategy. This system combines internal information networks with extensive video surveillance to enhance police capabilities in four key areas: detecting emerging crimes, analyzing crime hotspots, monitoring high-risk individuals, and identifying suspects. While these tools have improved operational efficiency and investigative accuracy, they raise notable concerns about privacy protection, data collection practices, and algorithmic transparency. To address these challenges, three essential safeguards are needed: legal protection of personal information rights, an integrated data security management system, and robust mechanisms for algorithmic oversight and accountability.