### The Extent of Taliban Surveillance: Monitoring Life in Kabul

In Kabul, the Taliban's police force has unveiled a vast surveillance network comprising 90,000 cameras to monitor the daily lives of millions of residents. Spokesperson Khalid Zadran highlighted the goal of this system as a crime deterrent, but critics warn it could be leveraged to suppress dissent and enforce strict moral codes. The BBC gained exclusive access to the control center, where operators can track individuals' movements, facial recognition data and monitor public gatherings for suspicious activity. While the government claims the initiatives have reduced crime rates by 30%, human rights groups are wary of the implications for personal freedoms, particularly concerning women's rights. Reports have surfaced indicating that residents are being required to financially support camera installations, further burdening a populace still dealing with economic challenges post-Taliban takeover. As concerns about privacy and accountability loom large, ordinary citizens express feelings of powerlessness under this new regime.

The Taliban's expanded surveillance system is set against a backdrop of significant societal restrictions, particularly for women, prompting vital conversations about privacy, security, and civil liberties within Afghanistan.