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The Global Rise of Authoritarian Tech - Surveillance, Censorship & AI

Bankless· 2025-10-02 10:30

Repression Technology Landscape - The repression technology sector is progressing rapidly, with surveillance, biometrics becoming more common and cheaper globally [1] - Digital repression technology includes surveillance technologies (mass, social media, targeted), censorship (firewalls, keyword policing), disinformation, and internet shutdowns [1] - Authoritarian states often use a system of repression, balancing different tools for different purposes, combining physical and digital techniques [3][4] - The level of sophistication in applying digital repression is key, with subtle manipulation of online conversations and planting distractions being more effective than blunt censorship [4] Nepal Case Study - Nepal's government attempted to enforce a law requiring platforms to register, suspending approximately 26 platforms, which triggered mass protests [2] - Protesters in Nepal used encrypted communication technologies like Signal and Telegram, and reportedly cryptocurrency [1] - The Nepal government primarily used censorship and internet shutdowns, combined with "lawfare," to suppress dissent [2] Geopolitical and Economic Factors - China has become a preeminent model for authoritarian technology, exporting its technology and techniques to other countries [5][6] - Western companies, including Meta, have also contributed to powering repression, both in China and elsewhere, particularly in disinformation campaigns [6] - The economics of digital repression make it cheap and scalable, driving its adoption [15] Future Trends and Concerns - The combination of AI and drones is a concerning future technology [15] - Predictive policing, hypercharged by algorithms and AI, raises concerns about profiling, false positives, and infringement of civil liberties [15] - AI-driven automation in targeting, as seen in warfare, can lead to higher civilian casualty rates [16] Financial Repression - Financial repression, including debanking and control over financial transactions, is a key element of digital authoritarianism [19] - Vietnam's requirement for biometric data for bank accounts and transactions above $750 is an example of financial control [20] - Cryptocurrency can serve as a liberation technology to circumvent government financial controls [21] Countermeasures and Individual Actions - Maintaining a strong emphasis on politics, voting, and organizing is crucial to counter technological determinism [21] - Individuals can use encrypted communication apps like Signal and practice self-censorship on public social media [24][25] - Establishing a pipeline to cryptocurrency can provide a financial escape route if needed [29]