Egypt: Activists fear surveillance at COP27
Journalists and activists at COP27 are increasingly afraid they are being subject to surveillance at the UN climate summit being held in Sharm El-Sheikh. Attendees are being warned not to download a mobile app created by the government with the floorplan and conference program. Experts have warned that the app gives intelligence services access to their location, photos, and emails. There are concerns that authorities will use it to gather information about civil society. Civil society has been heavily repressed in Egypt where there are some 60,000 political prisoners in jail who are systematically tortured and denied appropriate medical care. In the lead-up to the conference, human rights groups campaigned to allow the meaningful participation of activists and journalists, who are essential for bringing about climate change. To download the conference app, participants must give their mobile number, nationality, and passport details and enable location tracking. "Our applicati...