Surveillance capitalism

Definition

Surveillance capitalism refers to the commodification of personal data by major tech companies to predict and influence consumer behavior. This practice often involves extensive data collection through digital interactions, allowing companies to develop detailed profiles of individuals and target them with tailored advertisements. The implications of surveillance capitalism extend into new media and internet art, as artists critique the pervasive nature of data collection and its effects on privacy and autonomy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Surveillance capitalism relies on the collection of personal data from various sources, including social media, browsing history, and location tracking.
2. Companies like Google and Facebook are often at the forefront of surveillance capitalism, using user data to create targeted advertisements and influence purchasing behavior.
3. The rise of surveillance capitalism has led to growing concerns over privacy rights, prompting debates about ethical data usage and the need for regulatory frameworks.
4. Artists working in new media often utilize their platforms to critique surveillance capitalism, using interactive installations and digital works to raise awareness about data privacy issues.
5. The concept of surveillance capitalism has been popularized by scholars like Shoshana Zuboff, who argues that it poses significant threats to democracy and individual autonomy.

Review Questions

• How does surveillance capitalism impact individual privacy and autonomy in the digital age?
  • Surveillance capitalism impacts individual privacy by enabling companies to collect vast amounts of personal data without explicit consent. This data is used to create detailed profiles that can predict and manipulate user behavior. As a result, individuals often lose control over their personal information and face challenges in maintaining their autonomy in a landscape where their actions are continuously monitored and influenced by targeted marketing strategies.
• Discuss how artists in new media address the challenges posed by surveillance capitalism through their work.
  • Artists in new media tackle the challenges of surveillance capitalism by creating works that highlight the implications of pervasive data collection. They often use interactive elements to engage viewers, prompting them to reflect on their own digital footprints and privacy concerns. By incorporating themes of surveillance, anonymity, and consent into their art, these creators encourage critical conversations about the societal impacts of technology and the ethical dimensions of personal data usage.
• Evaluate the broader societal implications of surveillance capitalism on democratic values and individual rights.
  • Surveillance capitalism raises significant concerns for democratic values as it can lead to manipulation of public opinion through targeted misinformation campaigns. By controlling access to information based on user data profiles, companies can influence political preferences and shape social discourse. This practice threatens individual rights by undermining privacy and agency, as citizens may be subjected to constant surveillance without their knowledge or consent, ultimately eroding trust in democratic institutions.

Related terms

Big Data: Large volumes of data collected from various sources that can be analyzed for patterns, trends, and insights, often used in surveillance capitalism.

Data Privacy: The protection of personal information from unauthorized access or misuse, which is a significant concern in the age of surveillance capitalism.

Algorithmic Culture: A culture shaped by algorithms that influence what individuals see and experience online, often determined by data-driven decision-making.