Raffaele Angius is a journalist media innovation advisor based in Turin. He works togheter with Hermes Center for Transparency and Digital Human Rights, Facebook Tracking Exposed and Futura News. After a period as a free-lance journalist in Middle East he specialized in the design and deployment of ...

How Chinese Cameras Re-entered Public Contracts in Italy

01 Oct 2023  |  www.wired.it  |  Italian  |  Surveillance Technology

Chinese surveillance cameras, specifically those from Dahua, have re-entered Italian public contracts despite international pressures to isolate Beijing technologically. Dahua's strategy involved rebranding their products through the Italian company Jbf to bypass restrictions. The new Consip public procurement agreement includes Dahua cameras under Jbf's brand, raising cybersecurity and diplomatic concerns. The article details the political and economic implications, including the involvement of various stakeholders and the technical and security requirements imposed by Italian authorities.

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Surveillance Technology Public Procurement International Relations

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Mindaugas Ausra is a journalist based in Vilnius, Lithuania. He has been working in news media organizations for more than 6 years. At the moment he is a TV producer and business reporter in the National Broadcaster LRT.

Yessi Bello Perez is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Employee surveillance: Don’t waste your tech budget

01 Oct 2023  |  UNLEASH  |  English  |  Employee Surveillance

Employee surveillance software has seen a significant rise in demand since the COVID-19 pandemic, with companies like Hubstaff, Time Doctor, ActivTrak, and Teramind experiencing business growth. However, the use of such technology can negatively impact employee morale and retention, fostering a culture of mistrust. Experts like Alys Martin and Olivia James argue for creating a positive work environment based on trust and measurable outputs rather than intrusive monitoring. The Great Resignation highlights the need for HR to focus on employee engagement and well-being to retain talent. Investing in empowering technology and fostering mutual trust and respect are crucial for a productive and motivated workforce.

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HR Technology Employee Surveillance Remote Work Employee Morale

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Jessica Buxbaum is an independent journalist covering Palestine, Israel, and Syria.

Top Recruits Refuse to Work for Google or Amazon Over Involvement in Israeli War Crimes

05 Oct 2023  |  MintPress News  |  English  |  Technology and Surveillance

Google and Amazon face backlash from employees and recent graduates over their $1.22 billion Project Nimbus contract with the Israeli government, which aims to provide cloud technology to Israel's public sector and military. Activists and tech workers have formed coalitions to oppose the project, citing concerns about its potential use in surveillance and human rights abuses against Palestinians. The controversy has led to disruptions at corporate events and a refusal by some graduates to interview with the companies. Other tech firms like IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Anjuna, Cisco, and Motorola Solutions Israel are also mentioned for their involvement in similar activities. The article highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by tech workers and the broader implications of corporate complicity in state actions. Critics argue that the technology provided could entrench Israel's occupation of Palestine and facilitate further human rights violations.

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Technology and Surveillance Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Corporate Ethics

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Natalie Chalk is a UK-based journalist who works on the news desk of the Daily Mail. She also works as Late Breaking News Editor at inews on weekends. Prior to this she has contributed articles to The Mail on Sunday, The Big Issue, The Guardian, Daily Express, Sunday Mirror, Women’s Health, TNT ...

Policing minister calls for greater use of facial recognition technology to track down offenders

28 Oct 2023  |  inews.co.uk  |  English  |  Facial Recognition Technology

Policing minister Chris Philp is advocating for an increased use of facial recognition technology by police forces in the UK, setting a target of over 200,000 searches against the Police National Database by May. He also supports the broader use of live facial recognition cameras. This push comes as the UK prepares to host a global AI safety summit at Bletchley Park. However, there is opposition from a cross-party group of MPs and peers, as well as civil rights organizations, who have called for an immediate stop to the use of live facial recognition surveillance. Despite concerns about privacy and the lack of explicit parliamentary approval, the Home Office maintains that the technology is governed by strict laws and has been effective in identifying suspects for serious crimes.

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Privacy and Surveillance Facial Recognition Technology Artificial Intelligence Law Enforcement Government Policy

Chiara Crescenzi is a journalist based in Roma, RM, Italia.

China wants to use AirDrop to get citizens' sensitive data

10 Jan 2024  |  www.wired.it  |  Italian  |  Technology

A Chinese government-supported research institute has developed a technique to crack the encrypted registry of an iPhone, gaining access to phone numbers, email addresses, and device names of AirDrop users. This move follows the use of AirDrop in China to circumvent government censorship, notably during pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and against Xi Jinping's policies. Apple's iOS 16.1.1 update, which restricted AirDrop functionality to iPhones sold in China, raised suspicions. The Beijing judiciary office claims the technique improves case resolution efficiency and prevents the spread of inappropriate comments and potential bad influences.

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Government Surveillance Technology Privacy

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Pavlos Giorkas is a versatile freelance author and a journalist/editor based in Nicosia, Cyprus, with over 10 years of writing experience. He regularly contributes to multiple online publications in various industries such as health, technology, crypto, finance and digital marketing.

New Financial Systems: Surveillance and Tokenization Threaten Inclusion

19 Jul 2024  |  BITNEWSBOT  |  English  |  Surveillance

Global leaders and financial elites are advocating for a new financial governance system that promises inclusion but raises serious concerns about privacy, surveillance, and control. Digital IDs and blockchain technology are central to this system, potentially leading to unprecedented surveillance. The tokenization of natural assets is criticized as a means for the ultra-rich to deepen control over resources. Experts warn that these changes, framed as necessary for inclusion and sustainability, may have ulterior motives. Public skepticism and critical assessment are essential to safeguard freedoms and privacy.

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Blockchain Technology Surveillance Financial Crisis

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Avi Gopani is an Erasmus Mundus Journalism masters student. She is currently working as an independent journalist, interested in travel, cultural and political journalism.

The rise of surveillance start-ups in India

01 Oct 2023  |  analyticsindiamag.com  |  English  |  Surveillance Technology

India's burgeoning IT industry is seeing a rise in surveillance start-ups, driven by advancements in AI and computer vision technologies. Companies like Staqu, with their Jarvis solution, are making significant strides in surveillance capabilities, including violence detection and facial recognition. Despite the benefits, these technologies raise significant privacy concerns, especially in the absence of robust legal frameworks like the PDP bill. Other notable start-ups include iVIS, Videonetics, Innefu Labs, and FaceTagr, which are also contributing to the surveillance landscape. Government initiatives like the Hackathon DRISHTI aim to leverage these technologies for border security, highlighting the dual-edged nature of surveillance tech in India.

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Surveillance Technology Start-ups Privacy Concerns

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Is there a breaking news situation? Do you urgently need first images, a LiveU broadcast, vox pops, news packages and drone shots? 

500 GBP a day. I work across Africa and Europe. 

Flights, accommodation, transport expenses not included.

Face-off in Britain over controversial surveillance tech

05 Jan 2024  |  www.thestar.com.my  |  English  |  Surveillance Technology

London police's deployment of AI-powered facial recognition technology has led to multiple arrests, prompting the UK government to advocate for its expanded use. However, the technology faces significant opposition from parliamentarians and civil liberties groups, who argue it infringes on privacy rights and lacks proper oversight. Critics highlight wrongful interventions and potential misuse by private companies, while supporters emphasize its effectiveness in crime prevention. The debate underscores broader concerns about surveillance and civil liberties in the UK.

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Surveillance Technology Privacy Law Enforcement

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Kim Harrisberg is a multimedia journalist based in Cape Town, South Africa.

She won the Vodacom Online Journalist of the Year award in 2015 for her multimedia storytelling piece on domestic worker's salaries in South Africa.

She is skilled in journalistic writing, videography, audio editing ...

The rise of surveillance tech in Africa: What you need to know

01 Oct 2023  |  www.context.news  |  English  |  Surveillance Technology

Surveillance technology exports to Africa from countries like the U.S., Britain, China, Israel, and the EU are on the rise, with Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Malawi, and Zambia spending over $1 billion annually. The technology, often funded by Chinese loans, is used for various purposes, including law enforcement and public service enhancement, but raises significant human rights and privacy concerns. Rights groups warn of mass surveillance and misuse of data, with calls for regulatory reforms and transparency in procurement processes. Citizens are adopting privacy tools like VPNs and encrypted messaging to protect themselves.

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Surveillance Technology Privacy Human Rights

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****

Bruce Harrison is a freelance journalist living in Seoul, South Korea. 

He has filed stories about the Koreas from politics to security to sports for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Voice of America, Rivet Radio and others. 

Bruce spent three years as a copy-editor and anchor ...

City leaders encourage public to share surveillance camera location, access

05 Oct 2023  |  www.tmj4.com  |  English  |  Surveillance Technology

Milwaukee Police are encouraging residents and business owners with surveillance cameras to join a registry and share video footage through the Community Connect Milwaukee program. The initiative, in partnership with Fusus, aims to streamline the sharing process and provide real-time information to aid investigations. While city leaders and some business representatives support the program for its potential to deter crime, privacy advocates express concerns about surveillance and the need for oversight. The program is voluntary, and private donors are funding the technology.

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Surveillance Technology Community Policing Privacy Concerns

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Leonie Kijewski is a journalist based in Brussels, Belgium.

Russia relies on online gig workers to fuel surveillance mechanism – and a European company is helping it

27 Mar 2024  |  Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism  |  English  |  Surveillance

Russia is utilizing online gig workers to support its surveillance mechanisms, with assistance from a European company. Experts suggest that supporting companies developing such software could potentially breach sanctions.

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Technology Surveillance Sanctions

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I cover global development by way of science and technology. I write for Scientific American, Rethink, and many other magazines and have produced radio packages for BBC Radio 4, Deutsche Welle and NPR's Here and Now. 

I have lived in and reported from the US, UK, Switzerland, and Mexico. I now ...

Europe Expands Virtual Borders To Thwart Migrants

14 Feb 2022  |  spectrum.ieee.org  |  English  |  Technology and Surveillance

Europe has been expanding its virtual borders using advanced technology to prevent migrants from reaching physical European borders. This includes fewer maritime patrols and increased investment in remote-sensing technology. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, has been granted significant funding for border-control hardware and software. The shift from proactive rescue operations to border enforcement has led to more dangerous journeys for migrants and some deaths. Legal scholars and civil-society groups question the legality and morality of these practices, as migrants returned to Libya face abuse and violence. The E.U. has been criticized for its cooperation with North African governments to stop migrants before they reach European waters, which may violate international law. Civil-society groups have used technology to monitor and report on European border enforcement activities. The article suggests that while technology can postpone or relocate border confrontations, it cannot solve the underlying causes of migration.

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Technology and Surveillance Immigration Policy Human Rights

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jean-marc manach is a french investigative & OSINT (data)journalist based in Paris, France, working on surveillance, privacy and intelligence issues (among other things) since the late 90s.

He has written numerous information security manuals explaining how to protect ones sources and ...

Mayotte to Erect a 'Iron Curtain' of Civil-Military Surveillance Technologies

26 Oct 2023  |  Next  |  French  |  Surveillance

The French government is implementing a comprehensive civil-military surveillance system in Mayotte to combat illegal immigration. This initiative, part of the Shikandra 2 plan, involves significant investments in advanced technologies such as radars, maritime interception tools, and AI-driven cameras. The Ministry of the Interior aims to enhance border security through a modular and cost-effective approach, integrating various surveillance technologies. The plan also includes the establishment of a command and control center to oversee maritime threats and coordinate responses. The initiative follows the initial Shikandra operation, which reportedly led to the deportation of over 112,000 individuals in five years.

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Technology Surveillance Immigration

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Alastair McCready is editor for regional magazine Southeast Asia Globe, based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is able to provide editing, photography and reporting, as well as contacts in country and across the region.

Chinese Students Invent Coat That Makes People Invisible to AI Security Cameras

10 Oct 2023  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Technology

A group of graduate students from Wuhan University in China has developed the InvisDefense coat, which can evade detection by AI security cameras using customized camouflage prints and thermal devices. The coat, which won first prize at the Huawei Cup cybersecurity contest, aims to protect privacy by reducing the accuracy of AI human detection. The invention highlights the flaws in current surveillance systems and seeks to stimulate advancements in machine vision technology. The team plans to expand their research to make other objects invisible to AI cameras and address privacy concerns in a heavily surveilled society.

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Surveillance Technology Privacy

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Chris Morris is an acclaimed writer and editor whose work has appeared in some of the nation’s most respected outlets. A veteran financial journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he is an expert in the fields of consumer electronics and the video game industry, having covered both fields ...

How Facial Recognition Changes Dynamics of Campus Protests

02 May 2024  |  www.govtech.com  |  English  |  Surveillance Technology

The article explores the impact of facial recognition technology on campus protests, highlighting concerns about privacy and the potential for misidentification. It discusses recent protests at universities like Columbia and Emory, where law enforcement used facial recognition, prompting protestors to conceal their identities. The piece references past decisions by institutions like Carnegie Mellon and UCLA to avoid using such technology. It also touches on the broader implications of surveillance on civil liberties, with insights from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The article underscores the tension between security measures and the right to protest, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of surveillance practices on campuses.

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Surveillance Technology Facial Recognition Campus Protests

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Alyssa Moxley is a writer and audio producer based in Athens, Greece. She is available for investigative reports, detailed cultural analysis, and interviews for print and radio. She is also available for audio recording (for radio or video) needs with high quality equipment. She has expertise in ...

Your Car May Be Spying on You

18 Mar 2024  |  www.nytimes.com  |  English  |  Technology

Modern cars, now sophisticated pieces of technology, are collecting and sharing detailed information about their drivers, often without their knowledge. This has led to privacy violations, such as abusive partners tracking victims through car apps and insurance companies raising rates based on driving data. Car manufacturers like Mercedes and General Motors have been criticized for their handling of these issues, with some drivers facing significant financial and personal consequences. The article also touches on broader implications of internet-connected devices and the need for better data security and privacy practices.

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Surveillance Technology Privacy

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An independent journalist based in Bengaluru, India. Open to researching and reporting on migration, socio-economic issues, development, international affairs, renewable energy, and culture.

Emergencies change the rules: The use of Covid-19 tech raises concerns about privacy and surveillance

05 Apr 2023  |  thecorrespondent.com  |  English  |  Contact-Tracing Technology

The article discusses the use of technology in tracking COVID-19 and the implications for privacy and government surveillance in India, Tunisia, and Peru. In India, the Aarogya Setu app, initially introduced for contact tracing, is being used for purposes beyond its original scope, such as bail conditions, raising concerns about its future use and the need for robust data protection laws. Tunisia's use of COVID-19 tech evokes memories of past surveillance practices, with the public showing mixed reactions to increased monitoring. In Peru, the government's poor track record with data management and transparency raises doubts about the responsible use of a national COVID-19 survey and related apps. The article highlights the tension between public health measures and individual privacy rights during the pandemic.

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Health Technology Government Surveillance Contact-Tracing Technology COVID-19 Pandemic Data Privacy Digital Rights

Aleksa Tešić is an investigative journalist working for BIRN Serbia, covering mostly topics about surveillance, digital rights, technology in Serbia and Balkan region. He has worked on many stories regarding NSO Group, China's surveillance systems, EU privacy regulations and refugee monitoring. He ...

Watching Us: Serbian Police’s Expanding Drone Arsenal Draws Concern

29 Dec 2023  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Surveillance

The Serbian police's expanding use of drones raises significant privacy and regulatory concerns. Experts highlight the lack of clear legal frameworks governing data collection, storage, and usage, posing threats to individual privacy. The Ministry of the Interior has not provided transparency regarding drone models, usage protocols, or data security measures. Various drone models, including those from DJI and PR-DC, are used for diverse purposes such as surveillance, rescue missions, and border control. The article underscores the need for stringent regulations to prevent potential abuses, especially concerning biometric data and covert surveillance.

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Police Technology Surveillance Privacy

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Samuel Woodhams is a Researcher at the digital rights group and VPN comparison website, Top10VPN. Based in London, United Kingdom, he writes at the intersection of technology and politics, with a particular focus on internet shutdowns, digital rights and disinformation. His work has been featured ...

London’s Met Police is expanding its use of facial recognition technology

01 Oct 2023  |  www.wired.com  |  English  |  Facial Recognition Technology

London’s Metropolitan Police is set to expand its facial recognition capabilities with a new £3 million deal with NEC Corporation. The technology, known as Retrospective Facial Recognition (RFR), will process images from various sources to track down suspects. Critics warn of potential privacy abuses and discriminatory practices, while supporters argue it will help reduce crime. The Mayor of London’s office approved the proposal, but concerns about transparency and data protection remain. The use of facial recognition technology continues to be a contentious issue in the UK, with calls for stricter regulations and public scrutiny.

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Surveillance Facial Recognition Technology Privacy Concerns

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Emma Woollacott is a journalist based in Oxford, United Kingdom, writing in fields from science and tech to business and politics, freelance since 1992. I've written for most British broadsheet national newspapers, including the Times, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times and Guardian, as well as many ...

Foreign Governments Spying On Phone Push Notification Data, Senator Claims

07 Dec 2023  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Surveillance

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has accused foreign governments of obtaining data from Apple and Google to spy on smartphone users via push notifications. These notifications, which pass through the companies' servers, contain metadata and potentially unencrypted content. Wyden claims the US government has banned Apple and Google from disclosing these data requests, which are absent from their transparency reports. He urges the Department of Justice to allow the companies to be transparent about these demands and to notify affected customers. Apple, now that the issue is public, aims to update its transparency reporting. Both Apple and Google have been contacted for comments.

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Technology Surveillance Privacy

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