SCRAM: A Scenario-Based Framework for Evaluating Regulatory and Fairness Risks in AI Surveillance Systems

As artificial intelligence systems increasingly govern public safety operations, concerns over algorithmic fairness and legal compliance intensify. This study introduces a scenario-based evaluation framework (SCRAM) that simultaneously measures regulatory conformity and bias risks in AI-enabled surveillance. Using license plate recognition (LPR) systems in Türkiye as a case study, we simulate multiple operational configurations that vary decision thresholds and data retention periods. Each configuration is assessed through fairness metrics (SPD, DIR) and a compliance score derived from KVKK (Türkiye’s Personal Data Protection Law) and constitutional jurisprudence. Our findings show that technical performance does not guarantee normative acceptability: several configurations with high detection accuracy fail to meet legal and fairness thresholds. The SCRAM model offers a modular and adaptable approach to align AI deployments with ethical and legal standards and highlights how policy-sensitive parameters critically shape risk landscapes. We conclude with implications for real-time audit systems and cross-jurisdictional AI governance.