September 25th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy, held a hearing Tuesday looking at issues of internet freedom, digital authoritarianism and increasing commercial spyware.  Van Hollen said around the world, ways to oppress freedoms are increasing…

“We have witnessed an explosion of new technologies and practices such as internet shutdowns, censorship techniques, mass surveillance and racial recognition technologies, commercial spyware, and other tools that are used to suppress public dissent.”

The Senator said that the increase of such cyber interference disrupts democracy…

“This proliferation of surveillance capabilities and spyware not only exacerbates human rights abuses but also sets a dangerous precedent for how technology can be used to undermine democratic movements worldwide.”