Russian Surveillance Software Suppresses Georgian Civilians Rights(algorithmwatch.org)
7 pointsby fodmap9 hours ago1 comment
  • like_any_other8 hours ago
    > while in 2023 assembly required no permit and freedom of expression was guaranteed, by 2024, covering one's face was considered an administrative offense, and the penalty for blocking a road rose from 500 to 5,000 GEL. In 2025, both acts became criminal offenses

    Unfortunately Europe is doing no better regarding surveillance [1,2,3]. Only the repression is not yet so harsh (arguably).

    (This complaint should be interpreted as the opposite of whataboutism - it makes the problem worse and more urgent in both places, since there is no more safety to flee to, or to point to as examples of freedom.)

    [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law

    [2] https://euperspectives.eu/2025/08/surveillance-becoming-norm...

    [3] https://www.politico.eu/article/data-retention-europe-mass-s...

    • drysine2 hours ago
      >Only the repression is not yet so harsh (arguably).

      Is it?

      France: "Article 431-9-1, now stipulates a sentence of one year's imprisonment and a fine of €15,000 for voluntarily concealing all or part of the face "without legitimate reason" whilst attending a demonstration "during or at the end of which disturbances to public order are committed or are likely to be committed."" [0]

      Meanwhile in Canada: "Bill C-309 became law, banning the wearing of masks during a riot or unlawful assembly, carrying a maximum ten-year prison sentence with a conviction of the offence." [1]

      But I don't understand, right, it's different, Georgian masked rioters are pro-democracy freedom fighters, and protesters in the West are forces of darkness.

      [0] https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/05/12/i...

      [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventing_Persons_from_Concea...

      • like_any_otheran hour ago
        I think we agree. I meant the repression enabled by the surveillance/anti-mask laws. The laws themselves seem equally harsh, and the surveillance equally pervasive. (I was not aware of that Canadian law with a 10 year sentence - that is insane, and far harsher than the Georgian equivalent.)

        And honestly, personally I am of the opinion that even the repression is just as harsh, but in a different way. But this is not the place to open that can of worms, so I leave it at (arguably).

        • drysinean hour ago
          Yep, we agree much more than disagree. Let the worms stay in that can)