Afghans scramble to delete digital history, evade biometrics
The HinduThousands of Afghans struggling to ensure the physical safety of their families after the Taliban took control of the country have an additional worry : that biometric databases and their own digital history can be used to track and target them. "We understand that the Taliban is now likely to have access to various biometric databases and equipment in Afghanistan," the Human Rights First group wrote on Twitter on Monday. "Taliban started door-to-door search" for government officials, former security forces members and those who worked for foreign non-profits, a Twitter user called Mustafa said on Monday, adding that journalists' homes were also searched. But digital rights groups are already getting "significant numbers" of requests from civil society groups and activists on securing their digital presence, said Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific policy director at Access Now. The digital identity cards, the tazkira, can expose certain ethnic groups, while even telecom companies have a "wealth of data" that can be used to track and target people, he added.
History of this topic
UK-based group documents rights abuses since Taliban takeover of Afghanistan with 'witness map'
The Independent
Hacker group claims U.S. military devices with biometric data auctioned online
The Hindu
Human Rights: With Taliban in Power, Only International Action Can Save Afghans
The Quint
US-built databases a potential tool of Taliban repression
Associated PressDiscover Related
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