Data grab: the new colonialism of big tech and how to fight back
May 14, 2024
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Professors Mejias and Couldry discuss data colonialism, drawing parallels between historic and modern exploitation. They emphasize the importance of collective action, resistance, and decolonizing data to combat the influence of big tech companies
Data colonialism is a modern-day phenomenon with historical roots, highlighting the continuous appropriation of human life for profit through data extraction.
The concept of data territories transforms sectors into spaces enabling data extraction for profit, impacting labor, environment, and societal norms.
Resistance against data colonialism is crucial, advocating for strategies like political participation, protests, and envisioning alternatives to reshape the data-driven societal and economic order.
Deep dives
Understanding Data Colonialism as a Modern Form of Colonialism
Data colonialism is elucidated as a contemporary phenomenon with historical underpinnings. The podcast delves into how data extraction parallels historic colonial practices. By analyzing statistics and examples such as the exponential growth of data usage and the role of corporations in data extraction, the podcast highlights the concept of data colonialism as the continuous appropriation of human life for profit through data extraction.
Exploring Data Territories in the Context of Data Colonialism
The podcast discusses the concept of data territories and their relevance in the landscape of data colonialism. It showcases how various sectors like agriculture, health tech, and PropTech are transformed into data territories, enabling continuous data extraction for profit. By evaluating the impact of data territories on labor exploitation, environmental degradation, and societal norms, the podcast sheds light on the complexity and implications of these digital spaces.
Strategies for Resisting Data Colonialism and Decolonizing Data
The podcast advocates for resistance against data colonialism and presents strategies for decolonizing data. It emphasizes the importance of building solidarity to combat data exploitation. By exploring approaches like working within the system through political participation, challenging the system via protests and corporate dissent, and envisioning alternatives beyond the system, the podcast encourages a multifaceted and collective effort towards reshaping the current data-driven social and economic order.
Importance of Regulation in Addressing Data Governance Issues
Regulation plays a critical role in addressing the complex challenges surrounding data governance and the relations between nations and corporations. The podcast emphasizes the importance of regulations like the GDPR in attempting to control data practices. However, it raises concerns about the effectiveness of such regulations in the long term, particularly regarding the notion of consent in liberal societies and the limitations facing existing regulatory frameworks. The discussion highlights the need for a more robust and comprehensive approach to regulation, especially in the face of rapidly evolving technologies like AI.
Challenges and Solutions in Data Decolonization and Exploitation
The podcast delves into the concept of data colonialism and the challenges posed by data exploitation by corporations. It critiques existing models like surveillance capitalism, drawing attention to the limitations of such frameworks, particularly in addressing the broader societal impacts of data extraction. The conversation shifts towards proposing alternative solutions such as data trusts, highlighting the potential role of civil society in challenging data exploitation. It explores the need for reimagining data sovereignty and ownership, suggesting a shift towards community-controlled data territories to empower individuals and communities in determining the use and governance of their data.
Contributor(s): Professor Ulises Ali Mejias, Professor Nick Couldry | Every time we click ‘Accept’ on Terms and Conditions, we allow our most personal information to be repackaged by Big Tech companies for their own profit. In this searing, cutting-edge guide, two leading global researchers – and leading proponents of the concept of data colonialism – reveal how history can help us both to understand the emerging future and to fight back.
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