Disorderly use of digital technology during the Bolsonaro government is the target of a denouncement at the UN
Four Brazilian organizations drew attention to the harvesting of people's data during the Covid-19 pandemic and to spyware being hired
Foto: Bruno Fortuna/Fotos Públicas
On Tuesday, during a speech at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Conectas, Article 19, Data Privacy Brasil and International Transparency Brasil talked about the disorderly use of digital technology by the Brazilian government during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The organizations stated that from 2020 to 2022, the population´s data regarding biometrics, geolocation and health were harvested without due transparency and civil society participation.
In addition, the organizations expressed concern over an increase in government spending on hacking and spyware equipment, particularly in the area of public security and state intelligence. According to the organizations, this spending violates the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, association, privacy and intimacy. The lack of control mechanisms and the unwillingness of the institutions responsible for monitoring the use of these technologies effectively, are factors which have further exacerbated this worrying scenario.
In light of this, the organizations asked the UN to question Brazil on the use of these technologies and the processing of data harvested during the pandemic and also urged for compliance with international obligations and commitments with regards to the defence of human rights. They also requested questioning on the acquisition and growing use of other technological resources that could be used in the surveillance of the population.
