Data Grab: The New Colonialism of Big Tech and How to Fight Back

by Ulises A. Mejias, Ulises A. Mejias, Nick Couldry

Data Grab ABISBOOK WH Allen.

Genres: Technology, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Artificial Intelligence

300 pages, Hardcover

Published February 8, 2024

Reviews

[Matt Steinberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I found it a bit repetitive, and wished certain sections had a deeper analysis, this overall provided a great framework for viewing today's tech power through an anti-colonialist lens. And they made a great case for putting data extraction at the center of the issue.

[Zainab Feroze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depressing but important read. It contains many well-substantiated parallels between present-day colonialism within virtual borders and the more “old-school” colonialism, like the authors’ comparison between Google’s ToS and the Requerimiento (a deceiving and unenforced document written by Spanish conquistadors in 1513). I also appreciated the authors’ acknowledgement that while the master’s house can’t be taken down by the master’s tools, political participation is still necessary as a bare minimum if we want to hold Big Tech accountable for their privacy violations, long-lasting environmental damage, discriminatory algorithms, and growing global inequality all in the pursuit of profit. They share ways to get involved and resist in one’s own community, but I do wish the “how to fight back” section of the book wasn’t so generalized. Still, I would still recommend the book to anyone who cares about their rights or anyone who has any amount of personal data. 🤪

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of taking Media, Data and Social Order with Nick Couldry, and this is very much a summary of those ideas plus an expansion. Terrifying and important and fascinating, I think this comes at a crucial time for people to make decisions about data and their own content, and speaks to a lot of broader geopolitical issues. The practical resistance aspect in particular feels hopeful, and the book feels like a starting point for people to start considering these ideas in their day to day life. Really great!

[Preethi Kavilikatta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a problem with the premise of the book initially, but the authors made well-substantiated arguments in Chapter 2 and 3. This book is informative and a commendable academic attempt at decolonising data. I also found the authors to have covered how the new-fangled colonisation affects both the Global North and South - which in my view is impressive. The examples from India also remain quite accurate, which means that the book is thoroughly done. However, some perspectives from the Global South were missing in the final chapters. The suggestions mentioned as acts of defiance are a distant reality for a lot of us, as we do not operate in a social or legal system that is as individualistic as the societies in the West. Barring the final chapter, which I eventually just skimmed through - this is a wonderful book and sheds light on the destruction that the current hyperconnected world will support in times to come. This books acts as a major tool for awareness, especially for us as “data subjects.”

[ELK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crucial reading, grateful to the authors for this contribution. Very unfortunate and ironically misinformed take on covid/the pandemic that does essentially nothing to explore the way the themes of this book apply to the manufactured end of the pandemic for economic purposes, because neither of the authors seem aware of this reality (despite significant medical/scientific/academic literature on the subject - clearly they did not see a need to challenge their perspective that the pandemic has indeed ended), demonstrating just how true their thesis is that we remain firmly entrenched in - our imaginations subsequently significantly limited by - a colonial legacy. Also their bizarre hostility for remote work and school is ableist. While I understand their obvious qualms with the surveillance that accompanies remote work/learning for many, decrying the institution of remote work itself / being unable to separate the act of working remotely (eg, expanded access) from the practice of data extraction is honestly baffling to me. Especially when they are able to have nuance later on about using social media for the purpose of resistance because they are 'just the tools we have.' These guys clearly have some serious shit they need to unpack around the pandemic and unfortunately like most people in our society, have instead just funneled that all into aggressive ableism. I debated taking two stars off for this but their larger argument is, in my opinion, too important to minimize. But that whole part of the book really sucked to read as a disabled person who has lost tremendous access to society and the world because of the manufactured end of the pandemic, and who does not have the luxury of embracing covid denialism as a matter of 'fact,' simply because it's become a social norm under the very same influences of colonialism and capitalism this book otherwise goes to great lengths to call out and deconstruct.

[ulf _t · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mit diesem Buch habe ich es mir anfangs schwer getan und nach dem Lesen der ersten Seiten wieder weggelegt. Zu respektlos und auch zu brüsk schien mir der Vergleich zwischen dem globalen Kolonialismus nach 1492 mit allen seinen brutalen, bis heute wirkenden Konsequenzen und Traumata mit der aktuellen Plattformisierung und Datafizierung der Gesellschaft ("dieser Kolonialismus betrifft uns dann alle") zu vergleichen. Das wirk populistisch und irgendwie platt. Die Aufmachung des Buchs, die Titel Typografie, unterstreicht diesen Eindruck.

Nach ein paar Wochen dann habe ich weiter gelesen und das Buch wurde für Kapitel zur Kapitel besser und der Vergleich tat nicht mehr ganz so weh. Auch wenn ich ihn als Analogie nicht für passend halte so gelingt es ihnen mit Verweis auf Achille Mbembe den Kontext etwas genauer und angemessener zu beschreiben. Doch bleibt an vielen anderen Stellen vage und einfach, und ich habe wiederholt ganze Seiten grob überflogen.

Gleichzeitig wird sehr warmherzig wie entschieden an die Lesenden appelliert sich kritisch Gedanken zu machen: Über die vermeintliche Convenience von digitalen Produkten, Plattformen und „künstlichen“ Intelligenzen, die alle auf eins fokussieren, nämlich auf das Generieren und Kommodifizieren von Daten mit allen seinen sozialen politischen und ökologischen Konsequenzen. Schön ist auch, dass dieses Buch, wie so viele andere zu diesem Thema, versucht Ansätze vorzuschlagen, die Mensch ergreifen könnte, um diese Entwicklung zu bremsen oder in eine andere Richtung zu steuern. Meist bleibt das aber super unkonkret und eher pflichtschuldig. Hier finde ich Handlungsoptionen sehr konkret benannt, als Widerstand bezeichnet und mit gut nachvollziehbaren Ansätzen geschrieben, auch mit ganz konkreten Beispielen...weswegen nicht das Buch dann am Ende ziemlich gut fand.

[Florian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man hätte bestimmt 50-100 Seiten kürzen können aber es wird dann vor allem zum Ende sehr konkret und spannend

[RoaringRatalouille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this book because I have been following the work on data colonialism by Mejias & Couldry for some years, without ever taking the time to engage with it in a deep way. Hence, I thought this book provides a good opportunity to read up on their central arguments. While this book won't provide as many new insights if you work/research such data-related questions on a daily basis, it nonetheless does a very good job of conveying their concept of data colonialism and serves as a brilliant introduction to the broader problematics posed by digitalization today. For that reason, I warmly recommend this book. I will try to summarize some of its key points that interested me.

The introduction acquaints us with the book's mission which, simply speaking, consists in situating the history of current digital data production and analysis practices within longer histories of colonialism. So, for example, the chapter outlines the "Four X's" of colonialism: explore, expand, exploite, exterminate. The argument is that today Big Tech does all these things with the "virtual territories of our datafied lives" (p. 5). They stake out six similarities between data colonialism and historical colonialism: 1) both appropriate the world's resources; 2) in both, appropriation serves to build a new social and economic order; 3) this is the joint work of states and corporations; 4) this has a disastrous effect on the environment; 5) this generates deep inequalities; 6) there are always 'civilising' narratives that serve to hide the unacceptable facets of colonial practices.

The first chapter, "A New Colonialism", argues that today's digital lives can only be understood within the framework of colonialism. The authors then claim that there can be no capitalism without colonial tendencies, linking the two. For example: "It was colonialism that allowed European protocapitalists (merchants, artisans, landlors, etc.) to clear peasants off the land, accumulate capital, increase production and hire wage workers qucikly, all with the support of their respective states" (p. 30). They suggest: "Capitalism has always had a colonial gene within it." (p. 32). Today, rather than merely re-enact historical colonialisms violence, "data colonialism makes possible novel forms of symbolic violence, such as those that come with discrimination, loss of opportunity and the classification of people into disadvantageous categories by AI and its algorithms." (p. 39). The authors further point to some of the colonial roots of AI.

Chapter two shows some of the ways in which our social lives have become "data territories" for all kinds of extractive activities by firms and states.

Chapter three recounts some of data colonialism's civilising narratives.

Most interestingly, chapter 6 offers a "Playbook of Resistance" that shows ways to 1) work within the system; 2) work against the system; and 3) work beyond the system. This provides a brilliant overview of some efforts that have been directed against the uglies facets of data colonialism.

All in all, again, a very nice overview that I would recommend to all those interested in these topics. Moreover, it will primarily find future reference for its brilliant overview of possibilities for resistance.

[Maximiliano Albornoz Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro es muy interesante, y su propuesta de pensar los regímenes de datos cómo regímenes coloniales sigue pareciéndome muy ilustrativa y elocuente, no obstante por momentos no pude dejar de pensar que se trata de un “refrito” de su anterior libro “Los Costos de la Conexión”.
Es cierto que decir refrito es quizás demasiado tendencioso, porque si bien parten de la misma propuesta teórica, actualizan su discusión con muchísima información actualizada sobre propuestas militantes que están trabajando en pos de disputar hegemonía al modelo tecnológico actual.
Creo que es mejor comenzar con su libro anterior y pensar en este cómo un apéndice de actualización se sus discusiones, porque a nivel conceptual en su anterior libro tienen mejor logrado la reconstrucción de su propuesta teórico-conceptual. De la forma que sea, libros necesarios para pensar la actual coyuntura tecnológica, y el tipo de sociedades que deseamos construir en lo subsecuente del siglo XXI

[Fei K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible book! It's written by my academic advisor, and I did not have to read it for class, but it covers so many issues I'm interested in researching. This book is so great at not only providing the theories, but also giving practical applications and real-life tips for detachment from data colonial structures. It also comes with many references to recommended readings and other organizations that are doing important work as well, so it gives something of a starting board for delving further into the subjects. I highly recommend reading Data Grab! If you have the opportunity to take any classes or attend a lecture with Dr. Mejias, take the opportunity!

[lizbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it felt repetitive towards the end the book provided useful insights about how the current business model surrounding big tech mirrors that one of colonialism under which our data, personal lives and labour are exploited for profit. The authors usage of examples from the global south was also quite impressive– we love a well researched book!!! All in all I think this is an informative book that prompts us to rethink our relationship with technology along with its labour, environmental and ethical effects and be critical of the information we are fed.

[Yourlocalthoughtson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read - a great start if your new to perspectives of colonisation not in land form. Last couple chapters were my favourite, I love learning about how resistance is currently happening / could happen. Tidbit I’ll remember - the story of how gig economy delivery drivers in china spammed the app with orders to a protest location to bring all the workers to the protest. Amazing, chefs kiss, no notes

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has an excellent exposition of the basic principles of decolonial/poscolonial/anticolonial theory and fruitfully applies them to data grabbing.

My only criticism is for the surprisingly a critical use of Bartolomé de las Casas as a defender of the colonised considering that he invested what became cultural racism (culturism; see Goyes, 2019).

[Kuba Bukowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

After first reading Couldry’s and Mejias’ 2019 book I’d lie if I said I’m not disappointed. The book does not expand on the ideas put forward in the Costs of Connection, it merely reformulates them in at times briefer and messier fashion.

[Caitlin Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It promised to modernise and civilise, but actually sought to control. It stole from native populations and made them sign contracts they didn't understand. It took resources just because they were there. Colonialism has not disappeared – it has taken on a new form.”

Essential reading.

[Madame Histoire · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting analysis of the big media companies doing data colonialism, aka exploiting people without their consent or even realisation. scary and pertinent but not so practical about what to do. More a book to make you realise even more what you already suspect. A bit repetitive.

[Lambfield892 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

[ASC Library]

338.4 Mej

[Bill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just couldn't do this one.....

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very slow read in parts but important. Also useful as a jumping off point for finding organizations doing work in the area of opposing data colonialism.

[Maxwell Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes a very compelling argument. Somewhat repetitive in ideas, but overall would recommend to anyone who has basic knowledge of colonial history and a concern for the age of big data

[Sari سري Taha طه · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok. not very joyful read. some information but nothing surprising/new. good arrangements though.