KABUL (TOLOnews): Amnesty International reacted to news of the installation of more 62,000 cameras by the interim Afghan government in Kabul, saying that the action risks creating a total surveillance state. “Implementing such a vast architecture of mass surveillance under the guise of ‘national security’ sets a template for the Taliban to continue its draconian policies that violate fundamental rights of people in Afghanistan — especially women in public spaces,” said Matt Mahmoudi, Amnesty International’s Researcher and Advisor on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights. However, the Ministry of Interior said that this was done to enhance safety for citizens and to arrest criminals. Although the installation of security cameras has been regarded as a benefit by people, the cost of its implementation has drawn criticism from citizens. “It was installed under the direction of the government, but its enormous cost was gathered from people’s own money,” said Nisar Ahmad, a resident of Kabul. “This is really helpful. A while back thieves with guns in their hands took a young man’s phone, but with the help of these cameras, they were arrested by the police,” said Gul Hamid Hotak, another resident of Kabul. The Ministry of Interior has reiterated that installing security cameras does not violate people’s privacy; rather, it serves to detect criminals.
Amnesty international reacts to installation of cameras by interim Afghan govt
