Inside the Taliban's Expanding Surveillance Network
In a bustling control center filled with rows of monitors, the Taliban's police force proudly showcases its advanced surveillance system. With 90,000 CCTV cameras now operational, authorities claim they are enhancing security in Kabul, monitoring the daily lives of millions. However, concerns grow over potential misuse, including the suppression of dissent and the enforcement of strict religious codes.
A New Era of Surveillance
"From here, we oversee the entire city of Kabul," says Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Taliban police chief, pointing at the array of screens. Officers sit in neat rows, scrutinizing live footage from across the capital, home to six million residents. The network enables authorities to track license plates, facial expressions, and movements with remarkable precision.
"If we spot suspicious gatherings, possibly linked to drug use or crime, we immediately alert local police units who respond without delay," Zadran explains.
Before the Taliban regained control in 2021, Kabul was plagued by daily attacks, kidnappings, and carjackings. The Taliban vowed to restore order, and the expansion of surveillance is a key part of their strategy. Previously, only 850 cameras monitored the city. Now, the sophisticated network allows real-time tracking and even facial recognition, categorizing individuals by age, gender, and appearance.
Crime Prevention or Oppression?
Authorities assert that the surveillance system has contributed to a 30% decline in crime between 2023 and 2024, citing CCTV and motorcycle patrols as key factors. However, these figures remain unverified.
Human rights organizations fear the system will be used for more than just crime prevention. Amnesty International warns that under the pretext of national security, the Taliban could exploit surveillance to enforce their restrictive policies, particularly against women. Since returning to power, the Taliban have systematically limited women’s rights—barring them from education, employment, and public life. Women must wear face coverings in public, though some restrictions are inconsistently enforced.
Fariba, a young graduate unable to find work since the regime change, fears the cameras will be used to monitor women’s dress and behavior. "Many activists, former military personnel, and women who oppose the Taliban live in secrecy. Surveillance increases their risk," she says.
The Taliban insist only police officers access the CCTV feeds and deny any involvement from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice—the enforcer of morality laws. However, skepticism remains high.
Concerns Over Data Privacy
Human Rights Watch highlights a critical issue: Afghanistan lacks data protection laws to regulate how surveillance footage is stored and used. The Taliban claim recordings are kept for only three months and are handled confidentially, but these assurances do little to allay fears of misuse.
Equipment in the control center bears the branding of Dahua, a Chinese company linked to Beijing’s government. While previous reports suggested the Taliban had discussed surveillance technology deals with Huawei, the company denied any involvement. Officials declined to disclose how they acquired the cameras.
The Cost of Surveillance
Beyond privacy concerns, the financial burden of the system is falling on ordinary Afghans. Residents of Kabul report being forced to contribute to the cost of installing street cameras. Shella, a local woman, recounts how families were pressured to pay thousands of afghanis—equivalent to several months’ wages for many Afghan women.
"If we refused, they threatened to cut off our water and electricity within three days. We had to take loans to afford it," she says. In a country where economic hardship is widespread and 30 million people rely on humanitarian aid, such demands place additional strain on struggling families.
Taliban officials insist contributions were voluntary and minimal. However, for many, the cost of surveillance is not just financial—it is a constant reminder of lost freedoms and a government that prioritizes control over public welfare.
A Nation Under Watch
Despite official claims that the cameras enhance security, many Afghans feel powerless under the all-seeing eye of the Taliban. Jaber, a vegetable vendor, sums up the frustration felt by many.
"We are treated like nothing—denied the right to earn a living, constantly watched, and controlled. There is nothing we can do."
As the surveillance network expands, so too do concerns over its real purpose. While authorities present it as a tool for security, critics see it as yet another mechanism for enforcing a regime that continues to erode the freedoms of its people.
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