The government of Pakistan is speeding up its plans to monitor the online activities of its citizens. To do this, they are installing an internet firewall that will allow authorities to keep track of all online activities.
A recent report by Surveillance Watch, a group that monitors companies making spy software and the countries that use it, has made a surprising claim. According to the report, Pakistan is purchasing spy software and systems from over 15 different companies. These companies are based in various countries, including China, the United States, and even Israel.
Surveillance Watch is an interactive map created by a group that advocates for privacy rights. The map tracks the companies involved in producing spy software and the countries using this technology. Many members of this group have personally experienced the negative effects of such surveillance technology.
Anyone can visit the Surveillance Watch website and find Pakistan listed under “Known Targets.” The site also reveals the companies supplying Pakistan with spy technology, including Q Cyber Technologies Sàrl, an Israeli company that owns the NSO Group. The NSO Group is notorious for creating advanced spying tools like Pegasus. Other companies providing spyware to Pakistan include Predator, Gamma Group, and EyeSwoon.
These companies sell various technologies, including facial recognition software, smartphone spyware, video surveillance systems, and voice-to-text transcription for phone calls.
Currently, Pakistan is experiencing significant internet disruptions due to the installation of this new firewall, which is part of the government’s efforts to control political dissent.