News
September 10, 2025
Pakistan's mass surveillance mechanism fuelled by Chinese, European & US companies: Amnesty International
Amnesty International's report, "Shadows of Control," reveals Pakistan's mass surveillance and censorship expansion, enabled by technology from companies in Germany, UAE, China, Canada, and the US. The Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0) and Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) are used to monitor citizens' communications, restricting freedom of expression.
Pakistan's expanding surveillance capabilities, used to monitor citizens and censor online content, are being fueled by technology provided by companies from China, Europe, and the United States, according to a new report by Amnesty International. The report, titled "Shadows of Control," details how Pakistan's government is deploying sophisticated surveillance systems to track and control its population, significantly restricting freedom of expression.
The investigation shines a light on two key technologies at the heart of this mass surveillance: the Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0) and the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS). These systems, Amnesty International says, provide the Pakistani authorities with the tools to monitor citizens' communications, including phone calls and internet activity, on a massive scale. The report alleges that this surveillance infrastructure allows for the arbitrary targeting of individuals and groups, particularly those critical of the government or expressing dissenting opinions online.
The report names companies from various countries, including Germany, the UAE, China, Canada, and the US, as being complicit in providing the technology and infrastructure that enables this widespread surveillance. These companies, whether knowingly or unknowingly, are contributing to a system that stifles dissent and undermines fundamental human rights, according to Amnesty International.
"Shadows of Control" highlights the ease with which these technologies can be used to censor online content and silence critical voices. The WMS 2.0, for example, is reportedly used to identify and block websites and social media accounts deemed to be critical of the government. The LIMS, on the other hand, allows authorities to intercept and analyze private communications, potentially leading to arbitrary arrests and detentions.
Amnesty International urges the Pakistani government to ensure that its surveillance practices are in compliance with international human rights law, including the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. The organization also calls on companies involved in providing surveillance technology to conduct thorough human rights due diligence to ensure that their products are not being used to facilitate human rights abuses. The report serves as a stark reminder of the global reach of surveillance technology and the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in its development and deployment.
The investigation shines a light on two key technologies at the heart of this mass surveillance: the Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0) and the Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS). These systems, Amnesty International says, provide the Pakistani authorities with the tools to monitor citizens' communications, including phone calls and internet activity, on a massive scale. The report alleges that this surveillance infrastructure allows for the arbitrary targeting of individuals and groups, particularly those critical of the government or expressing dissenting opinions online.
The report names companies from various countries, including Germany, the UAE, China, Canada, and the US, as being complicit in providing the technology and infrastructure that enables this widespread surveillance. These companies, whether knowingly or unknowingly, are contributing to a system that stifles dissent and undermines fundamental human rights, according to Amnesty International.
"Shadows of Control" highlights the ease with which these technologies can be used to censor online content and silence critical voices. The WMS 2.0, for example, is reportedly used to identify and block websites and social media accounts deemed to be critical of the government. The LIMS, on the other hand, allows authorities to intercept and analyze private communications, potentially leading to arbitrary arrests and detentions.
Amnesty International urges the Pakistani government to ensure that its surveillance practices are in compliance with international human rights law, including the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. The organization also calls on companies involved in providing surveillance technology to conduct thorough human rights due diligence to ensure that their products are not being used to facilitate human rights abuses. The report serves as a stark reminder of the global reach of surveillance technology and the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in its development and deployment.
Category:
World