The development of surveillance technology has always been a global effort, with many leading tech companies participating. According to an article in the MIT Tech Review, American companies like Intel and Cisco were essential in building the bedrock of surveillance system in the US, Europe, India, China and Singapore. And they were able to disclaim their own responsibility by saying they simply didn’t know what the end use of their products would be.
Policies can still try to slow the development of surveillance states by putting pressure on industry.
That kind of excuse won’t work as easily in the future, because global tech companies are being held to higher standards. The supply chain for surveillance technology is still distributed around the world, and IoT camera companies require parts from the US or other countries to continue building their products. This means policies can still try to slow the development of surveillance states by putting pressure on industry. But results will depend on how much political will there is to uncover the key links in surveillance supply chains, and to come up with effective responses.
We can’t expect governments to self correct without vigilant civil sector and a free press. Every country - democratic or not - has the potential to become a surveillance state. It can happen anywhere.
FURTHER READING
The world is moving closer to a new cold war fought with authoritarian tech. MIT Tech Review.
The Chinese surveillance state proves that the idea of privacy is more “malleable” than you’d expect. MIT Tech Review
The complicated danger of surveillance states. MIT Tech Review