Cyber-surveillance and digital authoritarianism are major threats to queer liberation. These technologies have been used by governments and corporations to monitor and control individuals' online activities, including their sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. This has led to increased discrimination, harassment, and violence against LGBTQ+ people around the world.
In countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria, homosexuality is illegal, and those who engage in same-sex activity can be imprisoned or even executed. In these places, cyber-surveillance tools such as facial recognition software, artificial intelligence, and social media monitoring have been used to identify and target members of the LGBTQ+ community for arrest and prosecution. This has created an atmosphere of fear and secrecy among queer people, leading them to hide their identities and limit their interactions with others out of fear of persecution. Cyber-surveillance and digital authoritarianism also threaten queer liberation by undermining privacy and freedom of speech. Governments can track individuals' online activities, gathering information about their interests, preferences, and relationships. This data can then be used to create a profile of each person that can be shared with law enforcement agencies, employers, landlords, and other institutions. This can lead to discrimination based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, preventing queer people from accessing basic services and resources.
Digital authoritarianism allows governments to censor queer content, suppress activist voices, and shut down online platforms where queer people connect and organize. This reduces opportunities for education, awareness raising, advocacy, and support, hindering efforts towards equality and liberation. To address these threats, it is essential that we resist surveillance and fight for the protection of our rights. We must demand transparency and accountability from technology companies, urging them to respect human rights and uphold ethical standards. We must also work to build alternative networks, technologies, and spaces that prioritize security, privacy, and autonomy, creating safer spaces for queer people to connect and organize.
How do cyber-surveillance and digital authoritarianism threaten queer liberation?
Queer liberation refers to the freedom of people who are attracted to same-sex partners to openly express their sexual orientation without fear of discrimination or persecution. In the current age of cyber-surveillance and digital authoritarianism, this freedom is being threatened by various factors.