At the recent Oslo Freedom Forum, concerns were raised about the potential misuse of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) by authoritarian regimes. Activists, government officials, and citizens expressed worry about governments using the financial system to control opposition. The forum highlighted cases from Nicaragua, Hong Kong, and Russia where governments seized assets and froze accounts of those speaking against them. The rise of CBDCs could potentially amplify these powers. The forum also discussed the rollout of CBDCs in Nigeria and China, highlighting government inefficiency and the risk of forceful implementation. The overall sentiment was the need for public awareness about CBDCs and their potential risks.