The State and Digital Surveillance in Times of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Thu, 07 May 2020 13:01:46 +0000

First published for the CERI’s series on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last February, as the COVID-19 epidemic was in full swing in China, the world watched in amazement Chinese public authorities enforce drastic measures to curb the spread of the epidemic. In parallel with the generalised containment measures implemented in Hubei province, the Chinese government set up an impressive techno-police apparatus. Designed in partnership with the country’s major digital platforms such as Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu—and although its actual effectiveness is questionable—, it was presented as a key cog in China’s strategy to fight the virus.

Crisis on Félix Tréguer

The State and Digital Surveillance in Times of the Covid-19 Pandemic