Unveiling the Dark Reality: How China’s High-Tech Surveillance System is Violating
Citizens’ Rights
–By Michael Megarit

China has long been known for its extensive use of technology to spy on its citizens. As its economy and global influence have grown, the Chinese government has increasingly used technological capabilities to monitor its population for dissent and any signs of opposition to the ruling Communist Party. In recent years, the Chinese government has implemented various sophisticated surveillance systems, from facial recognition cameras to apps that track citizens behavior and movements.

One method of surveillance used by the Chinese government is facial recognition technology. China has been using the technology in the western region of Xinjiang since 2017, where Uighurs, an ethnic Muslim minority, are persecuted. The technology is used to monitor people in public areas such as train stations and shopping malls, to detect people identities and locations by comparing them with government-stored databases. This is done without consent, and the data is collected without any form of regulation.

The Chinese government has also used its technological capabilities to monitor the activities of its citizens in the virtual sphere. In 2014, China introduced  “The Great Firewall of China”, a computer system designed to block foreign websites and restrict access to foreign-based websites like Google, Facebook, and Twitter. Since then, China has developed its own search engine, Baidu, and developed a wide range of apps and tools to monitor online activity. For example, the messaging app WeChat, which has over one billion users, allows the government to monitor messages sent between users and gather data on their activities.

China has also been accused of using its tech capabilities to influence domestic opinion. For example, China’s government-funded news outlets are now using artificial intelligence to create articles designed to influence public opinion. This includes using bots and algorithms to create reports on economic news and policy decisions.

In addition, the Chinese government has been using its technological capabilities to spy on foreign countries. For example, China has been accused of hacking into the computer systems of businesses and governments around the world to steal intellectual property and gain access to confidential information. In July 2020, the US government charged two Chinese nationals with hacking into the computer systems of government agencies and private companies in the US, UK, Australia, and other countries.

The Chinese government’s use of technology to spy on its citizens and gain access to confidential information has raised serious concerns about its commitment to civil liberties and human rights. However, the Chinese government has largely ignored these concerns, claiming that its use of surveillance is necessary for national security.

Overall, it is clear that China has become increasingly reliant on technology to monitor its population and protect its interests abroad. As the Chinese government continues to invest in its technological capabilities, its citizens will remain vulnerable to being monitored and tracked without their knowledge or consent.