Weapons of Mass Surveillance
Governments with dubious human rights records are using mass surveillance technology to quell any murmurs of dissent - and western companies are providing the technology to do so. BBC reporter Nawal al-Maghafi investigates.
BBC World
2017
BAE's list of customers included Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Morocco, and Algeria. The technology works with keywords, intercepting all internet traffic in which they appear. A former Tunisian intelligence officer explains how President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali used it to track opponents. "You put in an opponent's name and you will see all the sites, blogs, social networks related to that user." It was used to similar effect in Saudi Arabia. Yahya Assiri, a former Saudi air officer, reveals "I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said more that 90% of the most active campaigners in 2011 have now vanished". Local campaigners now fear that mass surveillance will eradicate civil society in the Middle East.
Assistant Producer
Sourced and conducted interviews in London and abroad with the users and victims of British made surveillance equipment.
Used French and Arabic skills to find sources and conduct interviews. Hired and managed budgets for local producers, fixers, translators and camera people.
