US military steps up Middle East surveillance as threats to troops grow
Washington DC, USReuters The US military is taking new steps to protect its troops in the Middle East as concerns mount about attacks by Iran-backed groups, and it is leaving open the possibility of evacuations of military families if needed, officials tell Reuters. The measures include increasing US military patrols, restricting access to base facilities […]
Nicaragua: Catholic clergy report surveillance, beatings amid crackdown
DAVID ALIRE GARCIA, of Reuters, reports on President Daniel Ortega’s five-year campaign against the Catholic Church…
Iran installs cameras in public sites to identify unveiled women – police statement
Reuters In a further attempt to rein in the increasing number of women defying Iran’s compulsory dress code, authorities are installing cameras in public places and thoroughfares to identify and penalise unveiled women, the police announced on Saturday. After they have been identified, violators will receive “warning text messages as to the consequences”, police said […]
US says it cannot confirm China collected real-time data from spy balloon
Reuters US President Joe Biden’s administration said on Monday it could not confirm reports that China was able to collect real-time data from a spy balloon as it flew over sensitive military sites earlier this year, saying analysis was still ongoing. NBC News on Monday reported that the Chinese balloon was able to transmit data […]
Blinken postpones China trip over “unacceptable” Chinese spy balloon
Washington, US/Beijing, ChinaReuters US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed a visit to China that had been expected to start on Friday after a Chinese spy balloon was tracked flying across the United States in what Washington called a “clear violation” of US sovereignty. The Pentagon said on Thursday it was tracking a high-altitude surveillance […]
“Guinea pigs”: In Jordan, refugees scan irises to collect aid. But is it ethical?
NAZIH OSSEIRAN, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports that while biometrics and blockchain technology help Syrians access UN cash, rights groups are voicing concern over consent and data use…
Essay: Facial recognition, migrants and techism
MAL FLETCHER, writing from London, argues that law-makers are focusing too much on technology, relying on it as the main prism through which to observe and evaluate human behaviour…
Cambodia: Internet gateway raises fears of China-style surveillance
RINA CHANDRAN, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on critics claims that, when implemented, Cambodia’s National Internet Gateway will hit privacy and hamper the work of human rights defenders amid a crackdown on dissent…
Metaverse to crypto: Five tech trends to watch out for in 2022
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation From tackling the coronavirus pandemic to working remotely and communicating with loved ones, digital tools, platforms and policies increasingly affect how we live our lives. Here are five tech trends to look out for in 2022. CryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencies are shifting from the fringes of finance to the mainstream, with major investors, companies […]
Fears of “digital dictatorship” as Myanmar deploys AI
Bangkok, ThailandThomson 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 threat” […]