Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does surveillance capitalism primarily commodify?
What does surveillance capitalism primarily commodify?
Who coined the term 'surveillance capitalism'?
Who coined the term 'surveillance capitalism'?
What role do companies like Google and Facebook play in surveillance capitalism?
What role do companies like Google and Facebook play in surveillance capitalism?
What does the term 'Big Other' refer to in the context of surveillance capitalism?
What does the term 'Big Other' refer to in the context of surveillance capitalism?
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How has the economy changed from the late 20th century to the present in relation to surveillance capitalism?
How has the economy changed from the late 20th century to the present in relation to surveillance capitalism?
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What is the primary data source for surveillance capitalism?
What is the primary data source for surveillance capitalism?
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In what way does surveillance capitalism often operate?
In what way does surveillance capitalism often operate?
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Why might users receive targeted advertisements after purchasing items online?
Why might users receive targeted advertisements after purchasing items online?
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Which company was recently valued at approximately US$822 billion?
Which company was recently valued at approximately US$822 billion?
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What technology is common in wearables that helps with health monitoring?
What technology is common in wearables that helps with health monitoring?
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How many searches does Google process on average per second?
How many searches does Google process on average per second?
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What is a common requirement from some US health insurance providers regarding data feeds?
What is a common requirement from some US health insurance providers regarding data feeds?
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What activity is increasingly associated with surveillance capitalism and has educational benefits for children?
What activity is increasingly associated with surveillance capitalism and has educational benefits for children?
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What is the primary purpose of data collection by companies like Google and Facebook?
What is the primary purpose of data collection by companies like Google and Facebook?
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What role do third-party data brokers play in the data economy?
What role do third-party data brokers play in the data economy?
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Which of the following devices can collect and commodify data in our growing sensor-based society?
Which of the following devices can collect and commodify data in our growing sensor-based society?
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What is one concern related to connected toys mentioned in the context of data privacy?
What is one concern related to connected toys mentioned in the context of data privacy?
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What notable incident highlighted the practices of data collection and selling by Cambridge Analytica?
What notable incident highlighted the practices of data collection and selling by Cambridge Analytica?
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What aspect of surveillance capitalism does Zuboff suggest will become more pervasive in society?
What aspect of surveillance capitalism does Zuboff suggest will become more pervasive in society?
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What term describes the profile created about individuals who have not signed up for social media platforms but have data collected through interactions?
What term describes the profile created about individuals who have not signed up for social media platforms but have data collected through interactions?
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Which companies are identified as the main actors in surveillance capitalism?
Which companies are identified as the main actors in surveillance capitalism?
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What did HealthEngine notably do with clients’ personal information?
What did HealthEngine notably do with clients’ personal information?
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How do companies like Google package user data to create new markets?
How do companies like Google package user data to create new markets?
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What major issue arose as a result of the practices by Cambridge Analytica?
What major issue arose as a result of the practices by Cambridge Analytica?
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Study Notes
Surveillance Capitalism Overview
- Surveillance capitalism refers to a market-driven process where personal data is the primary commodity, captured through extensive internet surveillance.
- Companies providing free online services, like Google and Facebook, collect and analyze user behaviors (likes, searches, purchases) for commercial use, often without users' awareness.
- The term was coined by Shoshana Zuboff in 2014, highlighting the unchecked power of "Big Other" in data accumulation.
Economic Shift
- The late 20th century marked a transition from mass production to a knowledge-based economy, with surveillance capitalism emerging as a digital business model reliant on "big data."
- Data collected from individuals is often used to target them with ads or influence decisions (e.g., political campaigns, health-related choices).
Role of Third Parties
- Third-party data brokers compile, sell, and resell data obtained from various sources, creating extensive profiles of individuals or demographics.
- Smaller companies have also been implicated in data misuse, as exemplified by HealthEngine sharing user data with lawyers.
Cambridge Analytica Incident
- The Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed the depths of internet surveillance and data exploitation, as the firm collected data under the guise of academic research, potentially violating election laws.
- Despite these revelations, major companies like Facebook and Google continue their data collection practices unimpeded.
Major Players in Surveillance Capitalism
- Key entities in surveillance capitalism include Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple, which together control vast amounts of behavioral data, leading to significant business growth.
- Google processes an average of 40,000 searches per second and has a market capitalization of approximately $822 billion.
Expanding Data Sources
- The rise of a sensor-based society introduces new data collection methods through wearables, smart devices, drones, and connected toys.
- Devices such as smartwatches not only track health metrics but also provide valuable data to health insurance providers, sometimes as a requirement for coverage.
- Connected toys present educational benefits but raise significant concerns regarding data security and privacy, particularly for children.
Future Implications
- Zuboff argues that the integration of surveillance capitalism into daily life will deepen as sensor technologies become more pervasive, fundamentally altering social norms and privacy expectations.
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Description
Explore the concept of surveillance capitalism, a phenomenon where personal data becomes a key commodity driven by market processes. Learn about its roots in the late 20th century economic shift, the role of major tech companies, and the impact of third-party data brokers on privacy and consumer behavior.
