Kazakhstan has installed more than 19,000 street surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), enhancing law enforcement's ability to respond swiftly to incidents, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced. The ministry stated that the country continues to expand its digital security infrastructure. The AI-enabled cameras are capable of facial recognition, detecting abandoned objects, and analyzing traffic patterns. “The integration of these systems with Operational Management Centers allows us to respond to incidents in real time,” it noted. Police officers have also been equipped with tablets and smart tokens to improve mobility. For the public, reporting tools have been introduced through the 102 mobile app and the “Law and Order” service, accessible via eGovMobile and banking applications. Since the start of 2025, over 8,300 reports have been submitted through these digital platforms. However, the digital transition has coincided with a rise in cybercrime, particularly online fraud. In response, the internal ministry has implemented early detection systems and mechanisms to block suspicious calls and transactions. “In recent months alone, we have prevented the theft of more than 2.6 billion tenge, confiscated over 88,000 SIM cards used by fraudsters, and blocked more than 67 million fraudulent international calls,” the ministry reported. Despite the uptick in cybercrime, traditional crime rates have declined. Since the beginning of the year, more than 10,000 criminal cases have been solved, and nearly 10 million administrative offenses have been prevented. “Thanks to preventive measures, the overall crime rate has dropped by 13%, that’s 9,000 fewer cases compared to last year. We’ve seen decreases in murders, robberies, acts of hooliganism, theft, and livestock rustling. Crimes involving weapons, committed in public places, or by previously convicted individuals have also gone down,” said Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov. In the area of narcotics enforcement, more than 4,600 drug-related offenses were recorded between January and July 2025. Authorities dismantled 13 organized groups and seized over 11 tons of drugs and 23 tons of chemicals. The ministry also reported 44 extremist-related criminal offenses during the same period, 23 of which have been forwarded to the courts. Addressing domestic violence, the ministry established a dedicated department at the beginning of 2025. In the first seven months, more than 8,000 criminal cases were registered, over 56,000 protective court orders issued, and more than 19,000 offenders detained. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the adoption of a new domestic violence law has led to a decline in crimes against women and children, though challenges remain.
