Brazil security debate focuses on technology and police lethality

A coalition of organizations has launched the “Segurança, Democracia e Confirma” campaign to influence electoral debates regarding public security. The movement advocates for intelligence-based policing and the preservation of constitutional rights, arguing against punitive models and excessive force that disproportionately affect Black, poor, and indigenous populations.

Simultaneously, political candidates across the spectrum are increasingly proposing the use of artificial intelligence, real-time video monitoring, and integrated data centers as primary solutions for security. However, critics note that these technological investments have not curbed rising police lethality. Data from the Brazilian Public Security Forum indicates that in 2025, security agent actions resulted in 6,602 homicides, the highest absolute number since 2016.

Experts suggest that technology alone cannot address police violence, emphasizing that reducing lethality requires investment in human training and non-lethal techniques rather than just surveillance tools.