Silent persecution: digital surveillance becomes a new threat for millions of Christians

The persecution of Christians is no longer limited to attacks, imprisonment, or the destruction of churches. In a growing number of countries, technology has become a tool of control that hinders the practice of faith without resorting to overt violence.

According to Open Doors’ World Watch List 2026, more than 388 million Christians suffer high levels of religious persecution or discrimination. While physical violence remains particularly prevalent in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, international organizations are warning of a growing phenomenon: digital surveillance and administrative control over religious communities.

In countries like China, North Korea, and Iran, authorities combine facial recognition systems, communications monitoring, and bureaucratic restrictions to identify those participating in unauthorized religious gatherings. In some cases, believers avoid using conventional messaging apps or sharing religious content for fear of being identified and punished. This pressure forces many communities to meet in small groups or to constantly change locations for worship.

Experts warn that this type of persecution is particularly difficult to document, as it doesn’t always leave visible victims or generate international headlines. However, it progressively limits religious freedom through fines, job loss, educational restrictions, or constant surveillance of entire families.

Faced with this reality, organizations like Trinitarian International Solidarity emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant about the less visible forms of persecution. Defending religious freedom requires looking beyond episodes of violence and recognizing that, in many parts of the world, faith is also threatened by systems of control capable of restricting daily life without resorting to weapons.

21st-century persecution doesn’t always leave churches destroyed. On numerous occasions, a camera, an algorithm, or a tapped phone is enough to turn the exercise of faith into a risky act.