Fears of “digital dictatorship” as Myanmar deploys AI
Bangkok, Thailand Thomson Reuters Foundation Protesters in Myanmar fear they are being tracked with Chinese facial recognition technology, as spiralling violence and street surveillance spark fears of a “digital dictatorship” to replace ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Human rights groups say the use of artificial intelligence to check on citizens’ movements poses a “serious […]
“Draconian” moves to control internet in Asia
Bangkok, Thailand Thomson Reuters Foundation From Cambodia to India and the Philippines, countries in Asia have introduced a slew of internet and data use legislation in recent months, with human rights group warning the measures raise the risk of mass surveillance and free speech violations. More than six nations have launched contact tracing systems during the pandemic […]
“Dystopia Prime”: Amazon AI van cameras spark surveillance concerns
Berlin, Germany Thomson Reuters Foundation Amazon.com Inc’s announcement this week that it would be rolling out AI-powered cameras in its branded delivery vans for safety has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and workers concerned with being subjected to surveillance on the job. The world’s largest e-commerce firm said the cameras, which are developed by transportation […]
Fears raised over facial recognition use at Moscow protests
Tbilisi, GeorgiaThomson Reuters Foundation Russian authorities are deploying facial recognition cameras to identify protesters during rallies in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in Moscow, human rights groups said, warning that the technology is being used to stifle peaceful dissent. With more than 105,000 cameras, Moscow boasts one of the world’s most comprehensive surveillance systems – which […]
Singapore to limit police access to COVID-19 contact-tracing data
Thomson Reuters Foundation Singapore’s government has tabled a bill in parliament to allow the use of personal data from its coronavirus contact-tracing app in “serious” criminal investigations, a move aimed at addressing privacy concerns among users of such technologies. An amendment to its COVID-19 bill – presented to parliament this week – will limit the […]
Tech’s long COVID-19: What privacy battles will define 2021?
Thomson Reuters Foundation The coronavirus pandemic added a new layer to the ever-developing debate around privacy and technology in 2020, as governments and companies turned to tools like contract tracing apps and employee monitoring software. As the year comes to an end, the Thomson Reuters Foundation asked privacy experts around the world what issues will […]
Debt to personal data: Five threats to digital rights in Africa in 2020
Johannesburg, South Africa/Nairobi, Kenya Thomson Reuters Foundation From internet blackouts to contact tracing apps, digital rights across Africa were spotlighted in 2020 as millions of people were forced online to work, study and socialise amid lockdowns to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. Rights advocates and research groups raised concerns that measures enacted to […]
Surveillance technology seen worsening US eviction crisis
Washington DC, US Thomson Reuters Foundation Increased use of surveillance technologies by landlords across the United States could worsen a looming eviction crisis amid the coronavirus pandemic, researchers and renters warned on Monday. Speaking on a webinar, tenants and tech experts detailed the use of cameras, facial-recognition scanners and license plate readers, which they said […]
Trackers to mask detectors: India bets on COVID tech amid privacy fears
ANNIE BANERJI, writing for Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how the Indian Government is using high tech solutions to stop the spread of coronavirus – and how its leading to rising concerns over associated privacy issues…
Tech experts voice concerns of gig worker surveillance in pandemic
London, UK Thomson Reuters Foundation Growing armies of gig workers have little to no say in how they are being monitored during the coronavirus pandemic, researchers and advocates told a conference last week, calling for better oversight in how tracking tools are deployed. From Singapore to Estonia, business is turning to technology to help people […]