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In Kabul, a sophisticated surveillance network is tightening its grip on the daily lives of millions. The Taliban’s police force has proudly unveiled an extensive web of 90,000 CCTV cameras, making the Afghan capital one of the most closely monitored cities in the world. Installed under the pretense of improving security, this vast system tracks the movements of Kabul’s six million residents, capturing everything from their commutes to their social interactions. While the Taliban claims this surveillance network is crucial in combating crime, human rights advocates warn that it is being used as a tool for oppression, reinforcing authoritarian control over an already repressed population.
The Taliban asserts that the surveillance system has significantly reduced crime, with officials claiming a 30% decline in criminal activities between 2023 and 2024. According to Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for the Taliban police chief, the cameras serve as a deterrent against lawbreakers, creating a safer environment for residents. However, this justification is met with skepticism, as critics argue that the real purpose of this extensive monitoring is to quash dissent and enforce the Taliban’s rigid interpretation of Islamic law. Many fear that instead of promoting public safety, the cameras are being used to track down activists, silence opposition, and reinforce oppressive societal norms—particularly those affecting women.
At the heart of this surveillance network is a high-tech control center, where rows of police officers sit before a wall of TV screens streaming live footage from across Kabul. These screens provide real-time visuals of streets, markets, and public spaces, allowing authorities to zoom in on individuals with remarkable precision. The system’s facial recognition software categorizes people based on age, gender, and even their attire, raising concerns that it could be weaponized against those who do not conform to the Taliban’s strict moral codes. For many Afghan women, the fear of being monitored and punished for violating dress regulations—such as not wearing a full hijab—has added a new layer of psychological oppression.
Despite the Taliban’s insistence that this surveillance is meant to maintain law and order, rights organizations and residents alike remain deeply concerned about the potential for abuse. Amnesty International and other human rights groups have sounded the alarm over the ways in which this technology could facilitate human rights violations. The Taliban already imposes severe restrictions on women’s freedoms, barring them from higher education, many forms of employment, and public life. With this new surveillance system in place, the enforcement of such oppressive laws becomes even more stringent, making it easier for authorities to identify and punish those who dare to step out of line.
Beyond the implications for human rights, the financial burden of this surveillance system has fallen unfairly on Kabul’s residents. Many have been forced to pay for the installation of cameras in their neighborhoods, with some reportedly facing threats of having their water and electricity cut off if they refuse to comply. For a nation already grappling with an economic crisis, this added expense is a heavy strain. Afghanistan’s economy has been in freefall since the Taliban regained power, with international aid drying up and millions struggling to afford basic necessities. In such dire circumstances, the deployment of a costly surveillance infrastructure seems like an extravagant priority, especially when millions of Afghans are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
The broader humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains bleak, with nearly 30 million people requiring aid to survive. Food insecurity is widespread, jobs are scarce, and access to healthcare is severely limited. With the economy on the brink of collapse, many question the logic of investing in mass surveillance instead of addressing urgent social and economic issues. This prioritization of control over welfare has only deepened the resentment among Kabul’s residents, who see the cameras as yet another means of subjugation rather than a tool for safety.
Adding to the controversy is the mystery surrounding the source of these cameras. Reports indicate that the surveillance equipment may have been imported from China, raising concerns about potential data-sharing with the Chinese government. The Taliban has remained tight-lipped about where the cameras came from and who financed their installation. Given China’s track record of assisting authoritarian regimes with surveillance technology, there is growing unease that Kabul’s monitoring system could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Afghans but for the geopolitical landscape as well.
For many Afghans, the surveillance system is yet another symbol of their eroding freedoms. Jaber, a vegetable seller in Kabul, summed up the frustration felt by many, saying, “We are treated like trash, denied the opportunity to earn a living, and the authorities regard us as worthless.” Such sentiments reflect the broader despair among Kabul’s residents, who feel powerless under the weight of Taliban rule. The cameras serve as a daily reminder that their every move is being watched, their freedoms curtailed, and their ability to speak out crushed.
Women, in particular, bear the brunt of this invasive monitoring. Fariba, a young university graduate, expressed her concerns, stating, “There is significant worry that these cameras will be used to police women’s dress and behavior.” Given the Taliban’s notorious morality police, there is legitimate fear that the surveillance network will be used to punish those who do not strictly adhere to the Taliban’s conservative dress codes. This technological enforcement of morality laws further cements the systematic oppression of Afghan women, making public life even more perilous for them.
Ultimately, Kabul’s surveillance network is not just about security—it is about control. Whether used to track criminals, suppress political opposition, or reinforce strict social regulations, the implications are clear: the Taliban has cemented its power through technology. As the world watches from a distance, the question remains: will this network serve as a tool for public safety, or will it further entrench the oppression of a people already struggling under the weight of authoritarian rule? The answer, for many Afghans, seems all too clear
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