Fear on the Net: how the Venezuelan internet broke

Generalized censorship, mass surveillance, arrests made viral, new uses of drones, abuse of CCTV, and tech-powered intimidation became daily life after the recent elections in Veneuzuela.

This lightning talk is based on research that documents one of the most significant escalations in digital repression in Latin America.

You’ll witness how social media posts led to arrests, how drones, doxxing, viralized arrests, device searches, and other tactics were employed to intimidate protesters and silence the country.

We’ll present preserved photos and videos posted by official accounts of government security forces that brazenly showcase the extent of the intimidation, surveillance, and repression. Fear was the ultimate objective.

Parts of this talk are based in reports by sinFiltro.org published in 2025 and early 2026 that have been cited by international human rights organizations.