Authoritarian governments have been both lauded and criticised for their handling of the COVID-19 crisis. While some argue that the most effective tracking and prevention technologies function best under authoritarian regimes, many fear such technologies are opening the door to a greater role of the state in everyday life. In countries such as Hungary, Poland, India and the United States, we have seen the COVID-19 pandemic used as an excuse to curb civil liberties, and bring out the authoritarian streak in the world’s populist leaders. Will the pandemic spell the end of liberal democracy as we know it? Joining us to answer these questions are Dr Erica Frantz, Professor Lawrence Gostin and Rami Khouri.