Who's Behind Big Brother? - REAL Resistance

Mariel Garcia-Montes and Crofton Black share their stories and investigations that uncover the backdoor deals that allow the surveillance industry to thrive under the guise of ‘security’. If you have nothing to hide, you won’t mind if we spy, right?More like this: REAL Resistance: The Global Fight Against TechnocolonialismThis is REAL Resistance, a collection of conversations produced in collaboration with Real ML, featuring the experts and advocates who make up Real ML’s global network.In this conversation, two guests from the network take us on a guided tour of the global underground surveillance tech market:Mexico is the world’s biggest importer of surveillance tech, and has a rich history of spying on citizens. Mariel Garcia-Montes briefs us on that history and what it means for Mexico nowSurveillance technology represents a global industry that is mediated by exclusive conferences and backdoor deals; Crofton Black has spent years investigating this industry, the players, and the vulnerabilities they exploitFurther reading & resources:More about Mariel’s workSurveillance Secrets — Lighthouse Reports, 2025Ghost in the Network — Lighthouse Reports, 2023More on the Mexican Student Movement of 1968 — Eugenia Allier-Montano, 2022The Tierra Común Network, which Mariel invites any scholars and practitioners to joinJoin The Maybe Collective to explore the politics of technology through fresh ideas that you won't hear anywhere else. Sign up for monthly insights, access to exclusive digital events, and real ways to get more involved on issues you care about.Computer Says Maybe is produced by Georgia Iacovou, Kushal Dev, Marion Wellington, Sarah Myles, Van Newman, and Zoe Trout