Data colonialism or social surveillance capitalism?
Introduction
The last few weeks have been marked by shocking scandals linked to traditional social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, which have been accused of psychologically damaging their users and weakening state democracies on a global scale.
In addition to the two points mentioned in the previous paragraph, there are multiple accusations levelled at these traditional social networks, considering that their commodification structures have been labelled as a kind of modern colonialism based on data control.
Another of the many points to be made about these structures of commodification is the capitalism of social surveillance that these traditional social networks exert on state democracies.
Undoubtedly, the whole adverse scenario that these obsolete web 2.0 social networks have unleashed, for years accusations have been made that have uncovered personal data, which suggests that we are really using these platforms to extract information from their users.
For some scholars, these actions by Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are in effect part of a new stage of modern colonialism and capitalism that seeks to consolidate a new economic and social model.
In the words of the experts, these traditional social networks invest in technology to develop the interconnection infrastructure, hence they are at the top of the network and contribute to the circular system that reinforces their power.
One point to emphasise is that surveillance capitalism is not just about Facebook or the technology sector, as this economic logic is being institutionalised in all sectors, from insurance and real estate companies to education, health and agricultural systems, to give a few examples, hence the question: Data colonialism or social surveillance capitalism?
SOURCES CONSULTED
➊ Afrofeminas Data colonialism in social networks. Link
OBSERVATION:
The cover image was designed by the author: @lupafilotaxia, incorporating image background: Source: Afrofeminas.
hello @lupafilotaxia,
I believe that social networks were created out of people's desire to be in contact but over time all governments realised that they could influence people without them realising and took advantage of this technology to manipulate people, on the web it is said that nothing is free and that network users are the real product for the owners of the social networks who then sell the data to states who want to know what their citizens are doing, the networks are an example of how everything over time becomes a weapon of control.
Hello @trabajosdelsiglo
That's right, governments somehow has been influencing to gradually take control of the data circulating in social networks.
Best regards, be well.
Hi @lupafilotaxia
This is a post which raises a compelling issue from many points of view. It's.impressive, but it's hard to get someone who doesn't have Facebook or Instagram, it's a reality. And the truth is that the whole life is shown on those networks, and the benefit is for the owner, and that with that.information what they do is allow others to control the masses.
Hi @josevas217
Correct, it is a very complex issue that from my point of view beyond that people like to use these social networks, in my case for many years I stopped using these platforms traditions and stopped uploading personal information, I do not see any sense.
Best regards, be well.
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Hello @lupafilotaxia, I think that the control mechanisms have always existed, they just weren't as noticeable or they weren't paid as much attention as now.
Social networks have great appeal and can obviously also lend themselves to data extraction and information dissemination.
And I also believe that it is not necessary for the theft of information to be carried out through social networks to its users, this is happening silently from any internet connection, simply every step of the web browsing is monitored.
Undoubtedly a great post.
Hi @tocho2
You are right they have existed and will continue to exist, the point is the use we give to these social networks, and the type of personal information we upload to these traditional platforms.
Best regards, be well.