By Mark DaCosta- For years, authoritarian, dictatorial regimes across the globe have been clandestinely spying on their citizens. Such dictatorships use sophisticated electronic surveillance tools to monitor journalists, political opponents, activists, trade unionists, commentators, and even ordinary people. This alarming reality has been extensively documented and researched, revealing the pervasive reach of electronic surveillance in countries with questionable records on human rights and the norms of democratic practices.
In our nation, concerns about electronic spying have been raised as far back as 2022, when it was highlighted – in this publication – that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime persisted in using equipment from blacklisted company Huawei Technologies Ltd (HTL). Despite international warnings and security concerns, the PPP government has continued to embrace Huawei’s technology, raising questions about the extent of electronic surveillance within our borders. Further, it is believed that the PPP has been conducting extensive surveillance of people who it considers to be enemies since at least 2021. With that time-factor in mind, one wonders what the PPP is up to in 2024, because surveillance cyberattack technology is now far more advanced.
The use of advanced surveillance tools is not limited to our country alone. Studies and investigations have revealed the widespread deployment of such technologies in countries like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, Myanmar, Venezuela, and so on, where political dissidents have been targeted for persecution, imprisonment torture, and even assassination using sophisticated electronic spyware. Similarly, in numerous African and Arab territories, Huawei employees have been reported to assist governments in spying on their political opponents, intercepting encrypted communications and tracking individuals’ whereabouts using cell veri.
China, with its extensive surveillance network, presents another concerning example. Through facial recognition technology and other sophisticated means, the Chinese government can pinpoint the exact location of every individual at any given time, demonstrating the unprecedented level of intrusion into citizens’ privacy. And this is not speculation; the Chinese government has boasted of this capability.
Reputable international organisations and experts have expressed alarm over the use of surveillance technologies by authoritarian regimes. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warns that such tools are often used to silence journalists and dissenting voices, undermining fundamental human rights and democratic principles.
In our country, concerns about the PPP regime’s increasingly authoritarian tendencies and lack of transparency raise serious questions about the extent of electronic surveillance conducted by the government. As the regime tightens its grip on power, it is only logical to question to what extent it is using electronic spying operations to monitor political targets, attack their devices, and suppress dissent.
The case of Huawei’s continuing involvement in our country’s digital infrastructure is particularly troubling. Despite widespread security concerns and the company’s blacklisted status in other countries, the PPP regime has continued to rely on Huawei’s equipment for initiatives such as the “Safe City” project. This not only raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ privacy and upholding democratic values, but it places the PPP’s totalitarian agenda into stark perspective. And it lays bare the real intentions of the regime.
Local companies, including the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), have expressed concerns about the security risks associated with Huawei’s equipment. GTT’s decision to scale back the use of Huawei’s mobile communications equipment underscores the seriousness of these concerns and highlights the need for greater scrutiny of the PPP government’s technology partnerships.
Internationally, the United States and other countries have taken decisive action to mitigate the risks posed by Huawei’s technology. India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and others have all raised concerns and implemented measures to restrict Huawei’s involvement in critical infrastructure projects.
As Guyanese grapple with the challenges posed by an authoritarian regime and its likely use of surveillance technologies, it is essential for citizens to remain vigilant and informed. In a subsequent article, we will explore how individuals can protect themselves from electronic spying and cyberattacks, safeguarding their privacy and fundamental rights in an increasingly digital world.
The PPP regime’s continued embrace of Huawei’s technology raises serious concerns about the extent of electronic surveillance in our nation. As authoritarian regimes around the world exploit advanced surveillance tools to monitor citizens, it is imperative for us to remain vigilant and advocate for greater transparency and accountability from our increasingly authoritarian government.