Unveiling the Taliban's Extensive Surveillance Network in Kabul

The Taliban's police force has launched an extensive surveillance network in Kabul, using 90,000 CCTV cameras to monitor citizens. While officials claim it's meant to reduce crime, critics express fears over privacy violations and the potential for controlling women's freedoms.

In a centrally located control room in Kabul, the Taliban's police force reveals its ambitious surveillance network, equipped with an astonishing 90,000 CCTV cameras to monitor the lives of millions. Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for the Taliban's police chief, proudly points to various screens and claims, "We monitor the entire city of Kabul from here." While Taliban officials argue that such surveillance will enhance safety and combat crime, critics worry it could stifle dissent and surveil the enforcement of strict Islamic laws, particularly toward women.

The BBC is the first international outlet granted access to this intricate surveillance system. Officers diligently watch live feeds from thousands of cameras, closely observing the activities of Kabul's six million residents. "In certain neighborhoods, we investigate gatherings that may indicate drug use or criminal behavior," Zadran explains.

The transformation of Kabul's surveillance landscape has been stark; just before the Taliban regained power in 2021, only 850 cameras were operational. The authorities assert that this sweeping expansion symbolizes heightened criminal enforcement efforts. They report a 30% decrease in crime rates between 2023 and 2024, a statistic that remains unverified by independent sources.

However, human rights organizations voice significant concerns about who is being monitored and the longevity of data retention. Amnesty International cautions that the surveillance apparatus effectively legitimizes the Taliban's oppressive policies, restricting rights, especially for women. Currently, women's liberties, such as education and employment opportunities, have been dramatically curtailed, and many worry that surveillance cameras could be utilized to scrutinize their adherence to modest dress codes.

One woman, Fariba, expressed her unease, stating, “There is significant concern that surveillance cameras may be used to monitor women's hijabs.” Human Rights Watch has also stressed the lack of data protection laws in Afghanistan, raising alarms over the handling of recorded footage.

Adding to the discomfort, residents like Shella reveal that some Afghans are coerced into covering the expenses for the installation of these surveillance cameras. "They demanded thousands of afghanis from every household," she laments, stating that families threatened with service cuts had to take loans to pay.

Amidst the economic turmoil faced by many, the United Nations estimates that 30 million people in Afghanistan require assistance. Many question the value of such a surveillance system while households grapple with scarcity.

As the Taliban insists participation in financing the cameras is voluntary, rights advocacy groups remain deeply concerned about the wide-ranging implications of such pervasive surveillance. The cameras have contributed to a growing sense of hopelessness among everyday Afghans, as voiced by local vendors like Jaber, who lament, "We are treated like trash, denied the opportunity to earn a living."

With the complete names of the interviewees withheld for their safety, concerns linger over the implications of an extensive surveillance network in the hands of a regime notorious for its harsh policies. The societal impact of this technology continues to prompt a mix of fear and apprehension among Afghanistan's citizens.