Click Here The rise of high-tech despotism
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Mar 13, 2026 Noura Al-Jizawi, a Syrian activist who survived detention, torture, and exile, tells her story. She discusses crafting anonymous protest videos and the fear of being recognized online. She recounts state surveillance tactics, targeted spyware campaigns, and ongoing transnational harassment. She also talks about returning to Syria and rebuilding digital rights and civil society at home.
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Activist Fled Syria But Couldn’t Escape Reprisal
- Noura Al-Jizawi fled Syria after repeated arrests, torture, and her sister's detention tied to her activism.
- She escaped to Turkey then Canada, but continued to feel pursued by the regime even while abroad.
Surveillance Culture Shapes Online Behavior
- Growing up in Syria, Noura describes a pervasive culture of surveillance where 'walls have ears' shaped online behavior and distrust.
- She learned to use VPNs, read human rights reports covertly, and print articles to share secretly at university.
Phishing Email Revealed Transnational Spy Campaign
- Noura received a phishing email from a group called Assad Crimes that targeted exiled Syrians and did not open the attachment.
- Her husband brought the email to Citizen Lab, which traced digital fingerprints to an Assad ally and identified a broader campaign.