Russian Surveillance Software Suppresses Georgian Civilians Rights

https://algorithmwatch.org/en/russian-surveillance-face-recognition-georgia/

by fodmap • 13 days ago

7 4 13 days ago

while in 2023 assembly required no permit and freedom of expression was guaranteed, by 2024, covering one's face was considered an administrative offense, and the penalty for blocking a road rose from 500 to 5,000 GEL. In 2025, both acts became criminal offenses

Unfortunately Europe is doing no better regarding surveillance [1,2,3]. Only the repression is not yet so harsh (arguably).

(This complaint should be interpreted as the opposite of whataboutism - it makes the problem worse and more urgent in both places, since there is no more safety to flee to, or to point to as examples of freedom.)

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law

[2] https://euperspectives.eu/2025/08/surveillance-becoming-norm...

[3] https://www.politico.eu/article/data-retention-europe-mass-s...

drysine2• 12 days ago

Only the repression is not yet so harsh (arguably).

Is it?

France: "Article 431-9-1, now stipulates a sentence of one year's imprisonment and a fine of €15,000 for voluntarily concealing all or part of the face "without legitimate reason" whilst attending a demonstration "during or at the end of which disturbances to public order are committed or are likely to be committed."" [0]

Meanwhile in Canada: "Bill C-309 became law, banning the wearing of masks during a riot or unlawful assembly, carrying a maximum ten-year prison sentence with a conviction of the offence." [1]

But I don't understand, right, it's different, Georgian masked rioters are pro-democracy freedom fighters, and protesters in the West are forces of darkness.

[0] https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/05/12/i...

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventing_Persons_from_Concea...

like_any_other2• 12 days ago

I think we agree. I meant the repression enabled by the surveillance/anti-mask laws. The laws themselves seem equally harsh, and the surveillance equally pervasive. (I was not aware of that Canadian law with a 10 year sentence - that is insane, and far harsher than the Georgian equivalent.)

And honestly, personally I am of the opinion that even the repression is just as harsh, but in a different way. But this is not the place to open that can of worms, so I leave it at (arguably).

Russian Surveillance Software Suppresses Georgian Civilians Rights

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