[governance] Dr. Eric Schmidt, please don't advertise surveillance to Pakistan government

[Shahzad Ahmad]

In continuation to what Fouad shared earlier on the list, here is the public
statement from Bytes for All, Pakistan.

 

Best wihses and regards

Shahzad

 

 

 


Dr. Eric Schmidt, please don't advertise surveillance to Pakistan government


http://content.bytesforall.pk/node/56


Islamabad, 17 June 2012: Google's Executive Chairman, Dr. Eric Schmidt met
with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani on 14th June
2012. Both discussed various mutually beneficial projects that can be
initiated in Pakistan with the help and in partnership with Google.

As per news reports
<http://tribune.com.pk/story/394128/gilani-seeks-googles-help-in-tracking-cr
oss-border-movement/> , the discussion took an interesting turn, when Prime
Minister Gillani asked the Google Chairman to help use technology to
"compile electronic data of cross-border movement between Pakistan and
Afghanistan, which would in turn help tracking down terrorists" and Eric
responded by saying that "building up and maintaining of databases through
use of information technology was crucial to deal with security issues as
well as law and order situation".*

We are alarmed by the suggestion that Eric's visit to Pakistan appears to be
linked to Google providing support to the Pakistani Government to increase
surveillance of its citizens? The Pakistani Government is already notorious
for the extent to which it violates citizen's privacy without due process.
That a company like Google, renowned for its support for internet freedom,
could be complicit in such violations of rights is very disturbing.

How exactly does Google plan to do that?  Google is a corporation that
provides Internet-related products and services including Internet search
engine, cloud computing, software and advertising technologies. Essentially
Google's main business revolves around improving people's access to Internet
and then selling advertisements. Another question then arise: how could
Google commit to help a government with border security?  Will it be through
giving money for drones, mapping, more satellite coverage & monitoring or
some other technological solution? Is it really in the business interest of
Google to help build massive surveillance systems for nation states? Surely,
not unless they can advertise to people crossing the border!

It appears that Dr. Schmidt was caught off-guard in the discussions as the
Google we know is an active member of Global Network Initiative
<http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/> , well known for its stance on
Internet Rights
<http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/corecommitments/index.php> ,
champion of Open Net and vocal advocate for Freedom of Expression online.

We wish to believe that Google cannot actually provide the Pakistan
government with surveillance support systems. It also cannot do a real time
tracking of individuals across the border (unless Google is doing more than
they claim to their global user base!).

Bytes for All, Pakistan believes that an opportunity is lost and it is a big
loss for the Internet Rights <http://www.apc.org/en/node/5677/>  movement in
the country. Eric could have educated Government of Pakistan, especially the
Prime Minister on the global Internet Rights and Principles
<http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/APC_charter_UR_1.pdf> and how Open Net
can revolutionize the development processes and trigger innovation for
social justice in a country like Pakistan. Instead, Google Chief chose not
to enlighten our Prime Minister by sharing his vast knowledge and experience
and rather delved into the discussions on surveillance support systems.

Considering all possibilities and unusual developments that continue to
happen in Pakistan, Bytes for All earnestly requests Google to please not
help or inspire our government build more surveillance systems. We also urge
Eric to please clarify Google's position and to reaffirm its commitment to
respecting and protecting human rights on the Internet.

*Note: This public statement refers to the news reports published in the
press after Eric's meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Our efforts
to verify these discussion points between PM Gilani & Eric from the local
Google team were not successful. So the purpose of the statement is to
express alarm and demand clarification.

--End--

Important background links and resources:
 

*	Gilani seeks Google's help in tracking cross-border movement
<http://tribune.com.pk/story/394128/gilani-seeks-googles-help-in-tracking-cr
oss-border-movement/> 

*	Global Network Initiative <http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/> 

*	Core Commitments - Global Network Initiative
<http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/corecommitments/index.php> 

*	APC Internet Rights Charter <http://www.apc.org/en/node/5677/> 

*	APC Internet Rights Charter in Urdu
<http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/APC_charter_UR_1.pdf> 

*	Google chief suspects ulterior motive in Pakistan
<http://tribune.com.pk/story/15287/google-chief-suspects-ulterior-motive-in-
pakistan/> 

 

 

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