Surveillance, de-democratization and the digital states of exception: Cyprus, a small state surveillance-post

The present chapter examines the threat of (AI-powered) digital surveillance in small states by conducting a case study analysis of Cyprus. It develops a theoretical and empirical framework that relates digital surveillance technologies with processes of power centralization, de-democratization, and the violation of civil rights in the context of debates pertaining to small states. The notion of “digital states of exception” is employed to designate technologies operating at the margins of legality or outside it, but that are nonetheless utilized by state or corporate actors for economic and political advantages. These practices are related to the onslaught of AI technologies, which are increasingly fostering domains of automation, thus potentially proliferating the “digital states of exception.” The significance of Cyprus’ “digital states of exception” is investigated by empirically examining, in a paradigmatic fashion, a series of recent surveillance scandals, which situate Cyprus within a broader international nexus of digital surveillance. It is argued that Cyprus’ “digital states of exception” are best understood in terms of a multifactorial configuration that is nested within local, regional and global socio-political dynamics. The particular small state problematic can be illuminating for broader issues pertaining to democratic theory.