Decolonizing Data: Algorithms and Society

This book explores the values and effects of data technologies in sustaining colonial and imperialist legacies, while also highlighting strategies for resistance to autocratic regimes and pathways towards decolonizing efforts. It emphasizes the critical role of critically reflective data practices in government, academia, industry, and the civic sphere.

Format: Hardback
Length: 68 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the profound implications of data technologies in perpetuating colonial and imperialist legacies, while also shedding light on strategies for resistance against autocratic regimes and pathways toward decolonizing efforts. It emphasizes the need for critical reflection in data practices across various sectors, including government, academia, industry, and the civic sphere. The volume critically examines the data colonialism thesis, which portrays computer science as a colonizing force that utilizes data to classify and govern individuals. It presents an alternative framing of metadata as "data near data," challenging the notion of neutrality in technical terms. Additionally, the book offers a case study of the role of social media platforms in the 2018 Sudanese uprising, highlighting the complexities and challenges of data decolonization in the digital age.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students from diverse backgrounds, including Communication and Digital Media studies. It provides a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the complex issues surrounding data decolonization. By exploring the values and effects of data technologies, the book offers insights into the ways in which they sustain colonial and imperialist legacies while also providing opportunities for resistance and decolonization. The volume's critical examination of the data colonialism thesis and its alternative framing of metadata challenges the dominant narratives surrounding data and technology. It provides valuable case studies and examples of how social media platforms have been used to mobilize communities and advocate for change.

Furthermore, the book's multidisciplinary approach appeals to a wide range of readers, including policy makers, journalists, and the general reading public. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities posed by data decolonization and provides valuable insights into the ways in which we can work towards a more equitable and democratic data landscape. In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between data technologies, colonialism, and imperialism. It offers a critical and interdisciplinary perspective on data decolonization and provides valuable insights into strategies for resistance and decolonization. By promoting critical reflection and interdisciplinary collaboration, this book contributes to the ongoing efforts to create a more just and equitable data world.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032290720