Critiques of Data Colonialism

In this chapter, the authors critically interrogate the concept of data colonialism developed by Couldry and Mejias. Through their different critiques they bring to the table differing perspectives on the adoption of the concept within the field of critical data studies. Some authors offer fundament...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inDialogues in Data Power pp. 120 - 137
Main Authors Brevini, Benedetta, Fubara-Manuel, Irene, Ludec, Clément Le, Jensen, Jakob Linaa, Jimenez, Andrea, Bates, Jo
Format Book Chapter
LanguageEnglish
Published Bristol, UK Bristol University Press 03.09.2024
Subjects
Data colonialism
Labour
Colonialism
Feudalism
Environmental justice
Extractivism
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Summary:In this chapter, the authors critically interrogate the concept of data colonialism developed by Couldry and Mejias. Through their different critiques they bring to the table differing perspectives on the adoption of the concept within the field of critical data studies. Some authors offer fundamental critiques of the concept, arguing for scholarship and research that examines colonization as a tangible and pre-existing system of oppression with a violent data legacy that is continued through computation, as well as questioning the ways in which adoption of the concept can flatten our understanding of how data power works differently in the different contexts of Western consumerism and data production labour markets in post-colonial states. Other contributors identify gaps in the existing conceptualization in relation to environmental justice, and understanding the historical roots of colonialism in feudalist societies which also have their own resonances with contemporary datafied societies.
Bibliography:Global Social Challenge: Technology, Data and Society
ISBN:9781529238303
1529238307
DOI:10.51952/9781529238327.ch006