The promise of a future without wires, without borders, and potentially even free has faced challenges as digital technologies have been used to monitor individuals more closely. Governments and corporations can now confiscate phones, read messages, track movements, and even control what people see online through algorithms. Azadeh Akbari, a professor of critical data studies at Goethe University in Frankfurt, has studied these issues extensively. Having worked as a journalist in Tehran, she experienced state surveillance firsthand. She discovered that government agents not only asked her questions but also had access to the content of her private conversations. This led her to limit her social interactions to avoid putting her contacts at risk. Her research focuses on digital authoritarianism, smart cities, data inequalities, and the geopolitical shifts brought by the digital age. She argues that Iran is not an isolated case but a reflection of global trends. In her work, Akbari points out that surveillance is not limited to authoritarian regimes. Smart cities—urban areas that use digital technology to manage services and resources—can become powerful tools for control. She questions what remains of democracy when the state has the ability to listen, record, and connect the conversations of its citizens. Additionally, she examines the growing influence of digital giants like tech companies, whose platforms now function as critical infrastructure. This raises concerns about the role of the state when powerful individuals like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel gain increasing political influence. The broader context includes efforts by media outlets such as Die Zeit, a major German publication, to explore the greatest challenges of the modern era. Through a series of interviews with intellectuals and scientists, the outlet is examining topics ranging from digital geopolitics and artificial intelligence to climate change and philosophy. The series features individuals like Hannah Ritchie, Katharina Pistor, Francis Kéré, Fei-Fei Li, and Chiara Herzog, each addressing critical issues in their respective fields. These discussions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges shaping the world today. Akbari’s research underscores the need for a critical examination of how digital technologies are reshaping power dynamics, both nationally and globally. As smart cities and digital platforms become more integrated into daily life, the balance between innovation and individual privacy becomes increasingly delicate. Her insights serve as a reminder that the digital transition is not just a technological shift but also a political and social transformation with far-reaching consequences.