**Taliban's Expanding CCTV Surveillance in Kabul Sparks Controversy**

The Taliban's implementation of 90,000 CCTV cameras in Kabul aims to curb crime but fears arise regarding potential abuse for dissent monitoring and women's oppression.

In a sprawling command center in Kabul, the Taliban’s police force unveiled a new surveillance system comprising an astonishing 90,000 CCTV cameras, aimed at monitoring the everyday activities of millions in the city. Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for the Taliban police chief, expressed confidence in the initiative, stating, “We monitor the entire city of Kabul from here.” While officials tout the scheme as a means to combat crime, human rights advocates raise alarms about its implications for civil liberties and the harsh moral codes aligned with the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law.

The BBC is the first international media outlet permitted to observe the surveillance system’s operations. Inside the control room, rows of officers scrutinize live feeds from thousands of installed cameras, closely observing the activities of approximately six million Kabul residents. Zadran mentioned that the police monitor gatherings they deem suspicious, indicating a proactive approach to crime prevention.

Following the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, they have drastically increased surveillance measures, moving from a meager 850 cameras to tens of thousands, marking a significant leap in their governance style compared to the previous government. The Taliban pledges to address safety concerns that once plagued Kabul, claiming that recent implementations have led to a notable reduction in crime rates. However, critics remain skeptical, citing the regime’s simultaneous erosion of personal freedoms, particularly for women.

The surveillance system includes facial recognition technology, enabling police to track individuals based on various metrics like age, gender, and identity characteristics. Amid reports suggesting that the surveillance system may be employed to enforce the Taliban’s stringent standards for women’s dress codes, activists express deep concern for the potential violation of basic rights and freedoms. Currently, women in Afghanistan face numerous restrictions, ranging from limited educational opportunities to strict regulations concerning public conduct.

Fariba, a local woman, shared her fears regarding the surveillance cameras’ role in monitoring compliance with oppressive dress codes. Although authorities assert that only police are allowed access to the footage, rights organizations argue that the absence of data protection laws exposes individuals to potential misuse of surveillance data.

According to reports, the surveillance cameras are primarily sourced from Dahua, a Chinese firm with ties to the government, despite Taliban officials being tight-lipped on the procurement details. The financial burden of installing the cameras has also fallen on ordinary Afghans, with reports of households being pressured to pay for local camera installation under the threat of service cutoffs.

In a country grappling with a humanitarian crisis, community members like Shella expressed discontent regarding prioritizing surveillance over addressing dire needs. The United Nations continues to highlight that millions in Afghanistan urgently require humanitarian aid amidst rising poverty and declining economic stability.

While the Taliban assures the public that participation in funding this surveillance initiative was voluntary, testimonies from residents suggest otherwise. Jaber, a local vegetable vendor, emphasized the growing disempowerment felt by ordinary Afghans under increased surveillance, feeling stripped of dignity and autonomy. Rights advocates inside and outside Afghanistan remain vigilant, voicing concerns over how this surveillance framework might evolve and what it signifies for the future of human rights and freedoms in the country.