The Taliban's CCTV Expansion: A Dual-Edged Sword for Kabul's Residents**

The Taliban's deployment of 90,000 CCTV cameras in Kabul aims to enhance security but has triggered fears of increased monitoring of citizens and restrictions, particularly for women.**

In Kabul, a bustling control center brimming with streams of live footage from an extensive network of 90,000 CCTV cameras illustrates the Taliban's commitment to monitoring daily life in Afghanistan's capital. The regime's police representatives present this system as an essential tool in combating crime and ensuring public safety, claiming to keep an eye on the movement of the city's six million residents.

Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Taliban police chief, emphasizes that the constant surveillance helps authorities respond quickly to suspicious activities. However, critics raise alarms about potential misuse of these capabilities to suppress dissent and enforce the stringent moral codes dictated by the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law.

The BBC, being the first international news outlet granted access to the Taliban's surveillance operations, highlights stark contrasts in security measures since the group's 2021 resurgence. The amount of surveillance infrastructure has skyrocketed from just 850 cameras before their takeover, showcasing a significant shift in their approach to law enforcement. While official reports indicate a 30% decline in crime rates following the installation of these cameras, independent verification of such claims remains out of reach.

Beyond their stated objectives, the surveillance efforts have broad implications for personal freedoms. Organizations like Amnesty International criticize the introduced measures, arguing they enable the Taliban to sustain and expand their oppressive policies, particularly those targeting women. Under current regulations, women face severe restrictions, being largely confined to private life and often compelled to comply with stringent appearance codes enforced in public.

Fariba, a Kabul resident, articulates growing apprehensions regarding the cameras' role in monitoring women’s attire. Although the Taliban assert that only city police have access to the footage, fears proliferate that this oversight will further imperil those resisting the regime, including advocates for human rights and former military members.

Concerns are exacerbated by the lack of data protection frameworks overseeing the footage collected. Human Rights Watch voices alarm over the ambiguous usage of this data, noting that the Taliban's claim of a three-month retention period lacks accountability.

Compounding these issues, residents like Shella describe being coerced into financially supporting the camera installations, with threats of utilities cut-off for non-compliance. The Taliban defends these demands as voluntary contributions, a claim met with skepticism amidst a dire humanitarian landscape exacerbated by ongoing economic turmoil.

Voices from Kabul reveal a shared sense of powerlessness. Residents, including vegetable seller Jaber, articulate frustration with their lack of agency in the face of overwhelming oversight, reflecting a society grappling with oppression as basic needs remain unmet.

As the Taliban expands its surveillance architecture, the consequences for personal liberties and social stability in Afghanistan must be closely monitored, highlighting the delicate balance between security and freedom in an era of increasing authoritarianism.