China cyber spies aiding the taliban
Surveillance bid to stop revolts
THE taliban have recruited Chinese cyber spies to help them snoop on afghan civilians in a mission to prevent revolts against their iron rule.
Beijing has sent its best communications experts to Kabul to show the Taliban how to intercept phone calls on land lines and mobile networks, and monitor internet use and social media.
Western intelligence sources say the aim will be to stop rebellions being organised on social media, as happened across the Middle East during the Arab Spring.
A US intelligence source said: “China has been wooing the Taliban, preparing for this day for years.
“It has controlled citizen communication for a long time and has become adept at monitoring phones, the internet, all forms of communication.
“This is likely to give the Taliban immense power and control over the entire country as social media could be an enabler to those wanting to revolt. It also gives people they are hunting down, such as former officials and security personnel, few options in how they communicate with other networks.”
Taliban chiefs fear groups such as the National Resistance Front and women’s rights activists will gain mass support and they have already banned protest. Last week, two journalists were beaten for reporting on demos.
The source told the Mirror: “The Taliban could exert huge power over its population if China installs surveillance systems like those in its own country.
“This has appalling implications for human rights in Afghanistan, creating an atmosphere of being constantly watched and monitored. Unlike western democracies, it is unlikely the Taliban’s Beijing contacts will have qualms about human rights.”
A Pakistan International Airways plane from Islamabad yesterday became the first international flight to land at Kabul airport since the Taliban retook power last month.