This is why we need an independent news media and journalists who poke, prod, and don’t take no for an answer. Imagine not having the information about this intrusive surveillance revealed in this way.
Journalism matters. Thank you for putting up with low pay, long hours, and the inevitable brickbats from politicians and members of the public who don’t understand the importance of your work.
1
It’s already been proven that the Chinese have, and are hacking, ‘supply-chain’ software. What this means is, when you get a software update, the update itself is carrying malware to do various things like log keystrokes and/or capture passwords.
And folks, once the supply chain is hacked, you’re done.
Ecuador has sold itself to the devil. I suspect any tourist traveling to Ecuador will be riddled with viruses once they connect laptops or mobile phones to the Internet in hotels, airports, companies, you name it.
I suspect in 1 or 2 years the whole of South America will be under China’s thump. We’ll see how our freedoms add up once this happens.
11
Wait, was it your kid who shut down NPR for more than a minute a year ago on Take Your Kid to Work Day?
1
Coming soon to a (former) democracy near you.
9
You frame president Rafael Correa as "athoritarian"
You frame Lenin Moreno as "more democratic"
Sounds like the voice of the neocons running Trump's aggressive Latin American policy.
Who protected Assange from the neocons? Who gave him up to Trump?
6
@Michael Munk
Correa came in to office as a supposed reformer. That didn't last long. It soon became a case of "our turn at the trough". He flipped off the IMF to cement his left-wing populist credentials, and turned to the Chinese, the only other source of credit. His legacy is that Ecuador is deeply in hock to China, a nation whose ruthless self-interest makes the IMF look like a multi-national charity.
Coming to your neighborhood soon (it might already be there for all you know).
4
American leftist thought police would love this.
2
It’s interesting how pro-American authoritarians are not labelled that, while independent leaders - even those who abide by democratic norms - are.
12
This is happening all over the world. I've lived in Ecuador for 3 yrs now and have no intention of heading back to the "States".
I'd rather be "watched here than there any day.
2
Our dystopian society is here. We accept our overlords. Just give us enough to live, thank you.
5
Thanks for a great video report. Mesmerizing to see all these cameras in China.
I was in Quito on my way to Galapagos last year.
I don't remember these cameras.
But I was warned by Marriott to be very careful and vigilant on walks about.
Luckily, the Marriott neighborhood was safe and some of the hotel fears appear exaggerated.
But, this camera stuff is not surprising.
I live in Bogota and it's coming here too.
2
Thanks for sharing.
Wow.
9
Terrifying.
9