Living with Digital Surveillance in China: Citizens' Narratives on Technology, Privacy, and Governance

In China, digital surveillance is a pervasive reality, and this book explores how Chinese citizens navigate and make sense of it. It investigates their imaginaries about surveillance and privacy within the Chinese socio-political system, de-Westernizing the internet and surveillance literature. The research participants weave a complex system of narratives, balancing concerns with the government and technology as civilizing forces. Despite the widespread acceptance of digital surveillance, participants express misgivings and employ mental tactics to distance themselves from it. The book is intended for academics, students, and the lay public interested in technology and China.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Digital surveillance is an inescapable aspect of daily life in China, permeating every facet of society. In this comprehensive book, Ariane Ollier-Malaterre delves into the complex ways in which Chinese citizens navigate and cope with the pervasive presence of digital surveillance. Through in-depth qualitative research interviews, detailed diary notes, and extensive documentation, the author aims to challenge the Western-centric lens on internet and surveillance studies.

Ollier-Malaterre's research reveals the intricate web of narratives that Chinese citizens construct to make sense of surveillance and privacy within the confines of the Chinese socio-political system. Participants in the study weave a tapestry of anguishing narratives about China's moral shortcomings, while also highlighting the government and technology as civilising forces. Despite many participants viewing digital surveillance as an indispensable tool in China, their misgivings, objections, and mental tactics to distance themselves from surveillance convey the profound emotional weight associated with such exposure.

The book is designed for scholars and students in internet, surveillance, and Chinese studies, as well as those engaged in research on China across various disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, social psychology, psychology, communication, computer sciences, contemporary history, and political sciences. It offers a valuable synthesis of insights from sinologists and includes numerous interview excerpts that make the content accessible to a broader lay audience interested in the implications of technology in daily life or contemporary China.

In conclusion, Digital Surveillance in China: Imaginaries and Practices offers a rich and nuanced exploration of the complex relationship between citizens, technology, and surveillance in a country that has undergone rapid technological advancements. Through its in-depth analysis and compelling narratives, the book provides valuable insights into the ways in which individuals navigate and cope with the ever-present surveillance landscape, shedding light on the broader societal implications of this phenomenon.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032517704