Chapter Four: Public control and digital surveillance: Understanding the role of civil society in the DRC

This chapter examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in public control of digital surveillance. The presentation uses three case studies to explain the low level of CSO interest in electronic surveillance. The study suggests ways to engage CSOs in actions that limit the abuses of surveillance through their public control. From these three case studies, CSOs fail to reduce surveillance against political opponents and individuals. Faced with this situation, this chapter answers two questions: RQ1What are the factors behind the low level of interest among Congolese civil society in the issue of surveillance? RQ2 How can civil society actions limit the abuses of surveillance?  By analysing these questions, the chapter clearly demonstrates how public surveillance can succeed and what inhibiting factors can cause it to fail.