From Surveillance to Empowerment: Advancing the Responsible Use of Technology in Alternatives to Detention

In recent years, some governments have adopted digital technologies to monitor people-on- smartphone-based tracking apps are promoted as humane and cost-effective. In reality, these technologies often replicate and extend the control and harms of detention in new digital forms. They can restrict liberty, undermine dignity, erode trust, and cause serious mental and health impacts, particularly when used by default and without safeguards. As such, they are better characterized as alternate forms of detention, rather than ATD.

The report sets out 10 guiding principles to ensure technology is used to reduce rather than extend detention, and to promote freedom, dignity, rights, and community integration.