Amnesty slams rise of Argentine ‘surveillance state’

Amnesty International has criticized the Argentine government for expanding the use of surveillance technologies to monitor and target its critics. In a report titled "Sensing the surveillance state," Amnesty highlighted the creation of databases of protesters, monitoring of social media activity, and the use of facial recognition technology as tools to stifle dissent.

Since President Javier Milei took office in December 2023, the Argentine government has introduced numerous security and intelligence reforms, further enhancing its surveillance capabilities.

The report indicates that these measures are part of an effort to control and deter protests, thereby increasing authoritarian practices. Between 2024 and 2025, the ministry of national security reportedly spent a minimum of US$1.2 million to acquire surveillance technologies. Amassing testimony from journalists, activists, rights advocates, and pensioners who participate in weekly demonstrations advocating for higher pensions and improved healthcare, Amnesty claimed that these individuals felt they were being constantly watched.