Tractors, Rockets, and the Internet in Belarus - Technological Authoritarianism

Explore how Belarus, under its authoritarian regime, utilizes advanced technologies to monitor and control its population in this 43-minute conference talk from the 37C3 event. Delve into the transformation of a Soviet-style dictatorship into a technologically-driven authoritarian state, where surveillance and repression have become increasingly sophisticated. Learn about the paradoxical development of Belarus as an IT hub while simultaneously tightening control over its citizens. Examine the implications of affordable surveillance technologies for smaller authoritarian regimes worldwide. Gain insights from a member of ABC-Belarus, a political solidarity organization, on the ongoing wave of repressions since the 2020 uprising against President Alexander Lukashenko's 29-year rule. Understand the complex political dynamics between Belarus, Russia, the EU, and the US, and how they shape the country's technological landscape and human rights situation.