Digital Surveillance in Southern Africa: Policies, Politics and Practices

Allen Munoriyarwa, Admire Mare

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This book critically examines the manifest and latent practices of surveillance in the southern African region, using case studies from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. The book demonstrates the growing role of super-powers in the construction and normalization of the surveillance state. It traces the digitization of surveillance practices to the rapid adoption of smart CCTV, facial recognition technologies and EMSI catchers. Through predictive policing mechanisms, state security agencies have appropriated digital media technologies for sentiment analysis, constant monitoring of digital footprints of security targets, and even deploying cyber-troops on popular social media platforms. The authors argue that surveillance practices have thus been digitized with deleterious impact on the right to privacy, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in the region. Furthermore, they argue that specific laws and regulations governing surveillance practices in the region are lagging behind. Finally, the book demonstrates how digital surveillance have significantly infiltrated the political, economic and social fabric of Southern Africa. This book provides much needed systematic, cutting-edge research into the trends, practices, policies and geo-political interests at the center of surveillance practices in the region, providing a crucial link between human rights, such as freedom of privacy and expression, and political authoritarianism.

Original languageEnglish
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Number of pages220
ISBN (Electronic)9783031166365
ISBN (Print)9783031166358
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2023

Keywords

  • Digital technologies
  • digital footprint
  • digital surveillance
  • digitization
  • public space surveillance
  • social media
  • surveillance legislation
  • surveillance regulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences
  • General Arts and Humanities

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