AI Surveillance in the UAE Raises Grave Concerns Over Privacy and Freedom of Expression

Rights Group Warns of Expanding Government Control Through Artificial Intelligence and Spyware Technologies.

Watan-A human rights organization has warned of serious threats to individual privacy and freedom of expression in the UAE as the authorities intensify their use of artificial intelligence technologies to boost surveillance and spying.

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) stated that the deployment of AI-powered surveillance systems in the UAE raises significant human rights concerns, particularly regarding privacy, free expression, and the potential for government overreach.

The organization noted that the UAE is among the countries that have heavily invested in developing AI. Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country’s National Security Advisor, oversees assets exceeding $1.5 trillion and leads efforts to transform Abu Dhabi into a global AI powerhouse.

UAE Backing Fuels Kurz’s Shift to Cybersecurity and Surveillance Ventures
Pegasus software

UAE’s AI Surveillance Push Sparks Privacy Fears

Through entities like the G42 tech group, the UAE aims to cement its leadership in the global AI industry, seeking closer cooperation with American tech firms to mitigate geopolitical risks associated with Chinese partnerships.

In urban hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, AI-powered surveillance systems are deployed on a massive scale. Dubai’s “Oyoon” program integrates more than 300,000 facial recognition-enabled cameras, enabling real-time monitoring of residents and visitors.

Similarly, Abu Dhabi’s “Falcon Eye” system provides comprehensive surveillance across the city, enhancing the government’s ability to track individuals’ movements.

The widespread use of AI surveillance technologies in public spaces poses serious threats to the privacy of both citizens and expatriates in the UAE.

These systems’ capacity to continuously monitor and analyze personal behaviors without public consent violates the right to privacy as enshrined in international human rights standards. This intense surveillance may also lead to self-censorship, as individuals alter their behavior knowing they are constantly being watched.

Strict cybercrime laws in the UAE exacerbate concerns around AI surveillance.

Tahnoun bin Zayed

UAE Cyber Laws and Spyware Undermine Dissent

Federal Law No. 34 of 2021 on combating rumors and cybercrimes criminalizes online activities that contradict basic governance principles or insult foreign countries, with penalties reaching life imprisonment.

This legal framework has been used to suppress dissent, leading to the imprisonment of academics, journalists,and activists for peaceful online expression deemed to undermine governmental authority.

Reports also indicate the UAE has utilized advanced spyware, including Pegasus—developed by Israeli NSO Group—to monitor dissidents and perceived opponents both domestically and internationally.

Notably, human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor was sentenced to 10 years in prison based on data extracted from his Pegasus-infected device.

This abuse of surveillance tools highlights the potential for AI technologies to be exploited in ways that violate human rights and suppress legitimate dissent, the rights group emphasized.

Global Scrutiny Mounts Over UAE Surveillance

UAE surveillance practices have drawn global attention, particularly during international events held within the country.
For example, during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, concerns were raised over extensive surveillance measures that could infringe on participants’ privacy and freedom of assembly. The presence of such pervasive monitoring technologies was seen as a threat to open dialogue and the overall success of the conference.
Investigative reports have also spotlighted the broader impact of such surveillance. Ronan Farrow’s documentary “The Surveillance State” explores the global proliferation of spyware and its implications for democracy and freedom, underscoring the need for international regulations to govern intrusive technologies.
The rights organization has called on UAE authorities to establish transparent legal frameworks, ensure accountability for misuse of surveillance tools, and strengthen cooperation with international human rights bodies to mitigate the harmful effects of AI-powered monitoring.
Exit mobile version