A secure digital landscape is crucial for SA’s growth

Recent revelations regarding the US’s covert digital operations have cast a long shadow over the global discourse on cybersecurity.

While the US has often positioned itself as a champion of democratic values and a stalwart against cyber threats - accusing countries like China of malicious activity - reports now indicate that Washington itself has engaged in large-scale digital surveillance not only of its geopolitical rivals, but also of its own citizens and close allies. These accusations, captured in investigative pieces like Global Times’ “GT investigates: Behind ‘Salt Typhoon’” and subsequent articles in China Daily, highlight a deeply concerning pattern of espionage that resonates with South Africa’s history of valuing transparency and mutual respect on the world stage.

For years, the US has publicly denounced alleged cyberattacks from nations it deems adversarial - most notably, China - arguing that such activities threaten global internet freedom. However, multiple reports, including one dubbed “Salt Typhoon,” suggest that American intelligence agencies have deployed sophisticated surveillance programs aimed at collecting private data on American citizens, allies, and even heads of state. Such claims echo earlier revelations from whistleblowers, reminding the world of the extraordinary reach of agencies like the NSA.

In South Africa, there is growing unease that the US’s approach betrays a double standard. Even as the US signs cybersecurity agreements with African nations, pledging cooperation and protection, it has apparently been employing wide-reaching digital espionage tactics against partners it should be working with in good faith. Washington’s calls for transparency in other nations’ cyber operations ring hollow in light of these disclosures, illustrating that the real objective may be to maintain hegemony over global digital infrastructure.

South Africans have witnessed first-hand the consequences of state overreach in surveillance during our own turbulent past. While not on the same scale as the alleged US operations, our own historical experiences with invasive security measures under apartheid have made us particularly sensitive to violations of privacy and sovereignty. It’s one reason why our post-apartheid Constitution enshrines the right to privacy and freedoms that must not be infringed upon without just cause.

When confronted with the possibility that a foreign power - particularly one that portrays itself as the global standard-bearer of democratic values - might be intercepting communications, scanning private data, or turning technology companies into data-collection instruments, many South Africans can’t help but draw parallels with oppressive surveillance regimes of the past. This raises a fundamental question: if the US is willing to spy on its own citizens and long-standing allies, what would prevent it from conducting similar intrusions on African soil?

In early 2025, Global Times published an in-depth investigation dubbed “Behind ‘Salt Typhoon,’” presenting evidence that US intelligence agencies had orchestrated broad digital sweeps of American citizens’ data without appropriate oversight. Although the specifics are still emerging, initial analysis points to advanced cyber tools allegedly used not only to gather intelligence for national security but also to survey everyday communications—social media posts, emails, and phone records. The revelations have renewed global debates about the limits of state surveillance, drawing parallels to the Snowden disclosures that once shook Washington.

Yet, the story does not end at US borders. These investigations suggest that the same agencies may have also monitored diplomatic communications among allies, reminiscent of earlier allegations involving the tapping of phone lines of prominent European leaders. When pressed for answers, American officials frequently pivot to claims of national security threats. Nonetheless, critics—including policy experts featured in China Daily—argue that this broad, unchecked approach to surveillance indicates a desire for unilateral cyber supremacy.

For South Africa, building a robust and secure digital landscape is crucial for economic growth. Our nation has been rapidly expanding its telecommunications sector, with government-backed programs aimed at bringing internet access to remote communities. African countries, including South Africa, are also exploring digital currencies, fintech innovations, and e-government platforms to enhance governance and facilitate economic inclusivity.

However, the possibility that a major global player like the US might exploit vulnerabilities in African digital systems raises red flags for national security. Cyber espionage not only undermines trust but also places sensitive economic, political, and personal data at risk. Partnerships with international tech giants—many of which are US-based—suddenly become fraught with concerns that these companies might be compelled to share data with intelligence agencies.

Moreover, the US’s accusations against other nations, particularly China, create a complicated web of geopolitical tensions. South Africa, a member of BRICS, has growing trade and infrastructure cooperation with China. If the US frames these partnerships as “digital threats” while simultaneously extracting data through covert channels, it calls into question the sincerity of any cybersecurity cooperation offers Washington extends to Pretoria.

As we move further into the digital age, it is vital that nations engage in honest, open dialogue about the ethical and legal boundaries of surveillance. South Africa, with its strong constitutional framework, must demand greater transparency from partners who offer “cyber cooperation” on one hand while allegedly conducting intrusive surveillance on the other.

Building alliances for cybersecurity is important—no single nation can tackle the rising tide of digital threats alone. Yet, such cooperation must stand on a foundation of mutual respect and consistent conduct. The US’s actions, as exposed by recent investigations, appear to contradict the principles it professes. As a sovereign state, South Africa has a duty to safeguard the fundamental rights of its citizens and maintain the integrity of its digital infrastructure.

The controversy surrounding the “Salt Typhoon” revelations spotlights a troubling reality: the United States, while publicly condemning cyberattacks and urging collaboration against digital threats, has engaged in large-scale surveillance practices that undermine the trust of both allies and its own citizens. For South Africans, these disclosures awaken the memory of how unchecked power can erode civil liberties and damage international relationships.

It is therefore incumbent on our leadership to question, critique, and seek accountability. We must insist on transparency and fairness in all cyber collaborations, particularly with a nation whose actions increasingly appear at odds with its stated values. In a rapidly digitising world, trusting partnerships are essential - but they must be earned through genuine respect for sovereignty, human rights, and the shared goal of a secure global internet.

Cape Times