In China, reporting Christian activities to police pays money

415 million surveillance cameras

In China, all religious venues and activities that do not have state approval are considered illegal though enforcement of these regulations can vary from place to place. There is also a specific focus on preventing teens and kids from attending church and church camps.

The country, where there are an estimated 97 million Christians, has increasingly ratcheted up its surveillance efforts. In addition to grassroots campaigns, China has installed 415 million surveillance cameras, a number only expected to grow in the coming years. A  study by British technology website Comparitech found that China is home to more than half of the surveillance cameras in use around the world. Some estimates suggest that eventually there may be more cameras than people in China—quite a feat for a country with a population of 1.2 billion.

“As the surveillance dragnet pulls tighter, Christians—particularly those belonging to unregistered churches—will find it much harder to gather even in small groups, no matter whether digitally or in the real world,” said Thomas Müller, persecution analyst with Open Doors’ World Watch Research unit.

Open Doors has warned that the increase in digital surveillance, including the use of biometric technology and artificial intelligence, will put more pressure on Christians and others who are considered a threat to those in power.

“Christian faith is under attack and the methods of that persecution are becoming more sophisticated, and thus pose a greater threat,” says Open Doors CEO David Curry, “because they have the ability to oppress on a massive scale now, and I think it’s a blueprint for others.”