Taliban Talks Surveillance Plan With Huawei
Taliban and Huawei To Install Mass Surveillance System
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September 25, 2023
Afghanistan's Taliban-led government has engaged in discussions with Huawei Technologies to establish a comprehensive surveillance system across the country, aimed at identifying and combating insurgents and terrorism activities.
A reliable source familiar with the matter revealed that representatives from the Chinese tech giant met with officials from the Interior Ministry on August 14, and a verbal agreement was reached regarding the proposed contract.
The Interior Ministry initially publicized details of the meeting on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. In one of the now-deleted posts, spokesperson Mufti Abdul Mateen Qani indicated that the advanced camera system was being considered for deployment in "every province of Afghanistan."
Deputy Minister Abdullah Mukhtar also expressed the ministry's openness to accepting projects that offer superior quality and value.
However, Huawei promptly dismissed the reports, denying any plans or agreements discussed during the meeting. The company stated via email stating, "Reports on this meeting are factually incorrect." On the other hand, the Taliban's spokespersons have not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
According to the source familiar with the meeting, the primary objective of the proposed surveillance system is to track down members of ISIS in Afghanistan, as well as other militant groups.
The Taliban considers the local branch of the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq one of its most significant security threats, blaming it for the deadly attack on the Russian embassy in Kabul last year. The group has also targeted a hotel in Afghanistan's capital, which is frequented by Chinese nationals, and has issued threats against embassies of China, India, and Iran in the country, as reported by the United Nations.
The potential partnership between Huawei and the Taliban-led government raises concerns about human rights and privacy violations. Huawei has previously faced allegations regarding its involvement in comprehensive surveillance systems implemented by authoritarian regimes.
The tech giant has repeatedly denied these allegations and emphasized its commitment to complying with the laws and regulations of the countries it operates in.
The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has sparked international scrutiny amid fears of a crackdown on civil liberties, particularly women's rights. The potential implementation of a widespread surveillance system may exacerbate these concerns, as it could be used to restrict dissent and suppress opposition to the Taliban-led government.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the discussions between Huawei and the Taliban will progress further and result in a formal agreement. The outcome of these negotiations will impact Afghanistan's future and potentially have wider implications for technology companies involved in surveillance and privacy issues.
In conclusion, Afghanistan's Taliban-led government and Huawei Technologies have held discussions regarding the installation of a surveillance system to combat insurgency and terrorism activities.
While Huawei denies any plans or agreements reached during the meeting, concerns about human rights and privacy violations persist. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for both Afghanistan and the tech giant.