Intelligence Squared The New Colonialism of Big Tech, with Nick Couldry and Ulises A. Mejias
Jun 10, 2024
Nick Couldry, a leading sociologist of media from LSE, and Ulises A. Mejias, co-founder of the Non-Aligned Technologies Movement, delve into the concept of data colonialism in their latest work, 'Data Grab'. They argue that big tech is exploiting personal data akin to historical colonial practices. Their discussion highlights the troubling power dynamics at play, the necessity for community control over data, and the importance of fostering solidarity among citizens to enact meaningful change against this digital empire.
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Transformation of Social Order
- Data colonialism and AI are transforming the social order, requiring user cooperation for convenience.
- Car insurance, once a social safety net, now operates through surveillance contracts using data from cars, changing the nature of risk assessment.
Colonizing Minds
- Data colonialism, like historical colonialism, shapes social order through narratives of progress and convenience.
- Trust is now placed in tech CEOs and algorithms, echoing past justifications for colonial power.
Public-Private Partnership
- Data colonialism involves a complex interplay between private companies and nation-states, similar to historical colonialism.
- China's data collection model exemplifies this, highlighting the potential for both corporate and state control.
