Chinese snooping tech spreads to nations vulnerable to abuse

SUMMARY

Cameras, equipped with facial recognition technology, are being rolled out across hundreds of cities around the world, particularly in poorer countries with weak track records on human rights where Beijing has increased its influence through big business deals.

By APOct 17, 2019 3:09:26 PM IST (Published)

High-tech video cameras hang from an office building in downtown Belgrade, Serbia. The cameras, equipped with facial recognition technology, are being rolled out across hundreds of cities around the world, particularly in poorer countries with weak track records on human rights where Beijing has increased its influence through big business deals. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

When hundreds of video cameras with the power to identify and track individuals started appearing in the streets of Belgrade as part of a major surveillance project, some protesters began having second thoughts about joining anti-government demonstrations in the Serbian capital.(AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Local authorities assert the system, created by Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, helps reduce crime in the city of 2 million. Critics contend it erodes personal freedoms, makes political opponents vulnerable to retribution and even exposes the country's citizens to snooping by the Chinese government.(AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

With the United States claiming that Chinese state authorities can get backdoor access to Huawei data, the aggressive rollout is raising concerns about the privacy of millions of people in countries with little power to stand up to China. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Besides Serbia, that list includes Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Angola, Laos, Kazakhstan, Kenya and Uganda, as well as a few liberal democracies like Germany, France and Italy. The system is used in some 230 cities, exposing tens of millions of people to its screening. (AP Photo/Dusan Stojanovic)

While facial recognition technology is being adopted in many countries, spurring debate over the balance between privacy and safety, the Huawei system has gained extra attention due to accusations that Chinese laws requiring companies to assist in national intelligence work give authorities access to its data. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

As a result, some countries are reconsidering using Huawei technology, particularly the superfast 5G networks that are being rolled out later this year. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)