Are We Unwittingly Marching Towards Authoritarianism? – Tackling the Rise of Spyware in Africa

Background: 

Over the past decade, Africa has seen an alarming rise in surveillance technologies that blur the line between public safety and civil liberties. Authoritarian regimes and governments across the continent have increasingly turned to surveillance tools, including spyware, to monitor, control, and suppress dissent. The proliferation of spyware on both personal and governmental devices has led to significant concerns about human rights, privacy, and the future of democratic processes in the region.

Countries with varying degrees of democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies are now grappling with the ethical and legal ramifications of surveillance technologies, which were often adopted under the guise of national security and counterterrorism efforts. Yet, the use of these technologies has often extended beyond their original scope, raising questions about the true motivations of governments in adopting them.

Spyware, which allows for unauthorized access to communications, location tracking, and data harvesting, is at the forefront of this growing surveillance issue. The deployment of spyware in Africa is not only a direct threat to privacy but also serves as a tool for political repression, limiting freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. Civil society, journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens are increasingly vulnerable to surveillance, and the ramifications of such tools on the future of democratic governance and the protection of human rights are profound.

In this session, we will examine the impact of spyware and surveillance on African societies, addressing the legal, ethical, and security implications. Experts will unpack the potential dangers of unchecked surveillance, the balance between state security and privacy rights, and the role of international actors in curbing the misuse of these technologies.