Growing Risks of Digital Surveillance in Romantic Relationships: What Thai Readers Should Know
A recent personal account published by Slate has revived concerns about digital surveillance within intimate relationships. The story describes a woman who discovered her ex-partner had secretly placed a tracker in her bag, confirmed by her family’s early suspicions about controlling behavior. Experts caution that this is part of a broader, worrying trend affecting families and individuals worldwide, including in Thailand.
As smartphones and affordable tracking devices become commonplace, the line between affection and intrusion can blur. The Slate piece highlights a pattern where controlling partners monitor partners through digital tools. International research supports this concern, showing a rise in stalking and emotional abuse enabled by consumer technology. In Thailand, researchers and advocates are paying close attention to how technology-facilitated abuse is evolving alongside smartphone adoption.