THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has marked the beginning of an era where surveillance is the new normal. China is using camera-fitted smart helmets and drones, and facial recognition technology, to identify potential patients. Hong Kong is tracking people using electronic wristbands; Singapore has launched a contact-tracing app; and Israel is carrying out phone surveillance.
In April, India launched Aarogya Setu, a smartphone app that alerts people when they come into contact with Covid patients. When privacy concerns emerged, the government declared Aarogya Setu an open-source application that allows developers and cybersecurity experts to inspect the app and its vulnerabilities. “Aarogya Setu is a powerful companion that protects people. It has a robust data security architecture,” said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Given the record of governments targeting dissidents, surveillance tools do not enjoy public confidence. In 2019, the Toronto-based Citizen Lab exposed how Pegasus, a spyware designed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, had been snooping on 1,400 people in 45 countries, including India. Pegasus had hacked into cell phones that had WhatsApp, the multimedia platform owned by Facebook.
WhatsApp has 400 million users in India. The security breach raised fears of state surveillance, after NSO Group said it sold Pegasus to government agencies only. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with more than 100 activists, lawyers and journalists who were targeted by the spyware, accused the government of snooping on citizens. Last November, the activists wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding an inquiry into the breach.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 13, 2020-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 13, 2020-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
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Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state