Networks of Control
* Report: Networks of Control. A Report on Corporate Surveillance, Digital Tracking, Big Data & Privacy. by Wolfie Christl and Sarah Spiekermann. Cracked Labs, 2016
URL = http://crackedlabs.org/en/networksofcontrol pdf
Description
"The collection, analysis and utilization of digital information based on our clicks, swipes, likes, purchases, movements, behaviors and interests have become part of everyday life. While individuals become increasingly transparent, companies take control of the recorded data in a non-transparent and unregulated way.
In their report, Wolfie Christl and Sarah Spiekermann explain how a vast number of companies have started to engage in constant surveillance of the population. Without peoples’ knowledge a network of global players is constantly tracking, profiling, categorizing, rating and affecting the lives of billions – across platforms, devices and life contexts. While special interest groups have been aware of the corporate use of personal data for a while now, the full degree and scale of personal data collection, use and – in particular – abuse has not been scrutinized closely enough. This gap is closed with this book entitled “Networks of Control – A Report on Corporate Surveillance, Digital Tracking, Big Data & Privacy”.
Based on detailed examples “Networks of Control” answers the following questions:
- Who are the players in today’s personal data business? How do online platforms, tech companies and data brokers really collect, share and make use of personal information?
- Which data is recorded by smartphones, fitness trackers, e-readers, smart TVs, connected thermostats and cars? Will the Internet of Things lead to ubiquitous surveillance?
- What can be inferred from our purchases, calls, messages, website visits, web searches and likes?
- How is Big Data analytics already used in fields such as marketing, retail, insurance, finance, healthcare and work to treat us differently?
- What are the societal and ethical implications of these practices? And how can we move forward?
Their investigation not only exposes the full degree and scale of today’s personal data business, but also shows how algorithmic decisions on people lead to discrimination, exclusion and other social implications. Followed by an ethical reflection on personal data markets the authors present a selection of recommended actions."
Excerpts
Introductory Article by Sarah Spiekermann
URL = http://derstandard.at/2000045303653/Networks-of-Control
"Marketers’ are building psycho-social and economic profiles about us now all the time. They offer us different prices for the same product depending on our purchase power and price sensitivity. They let us wait forever in call centres if we don’t make enough money with them. They don’t send catalogues to the poor; presuming that poor people cannot afford products anyway (or would not reliably pay for them). We are categorized into ‘segments’ that often carry ambiguous titles, such as "hedonist", "adventurer" or "preserver". We are analysed as to what triggers us most in our voting behaviour so that political parties can manipulate our votes. Banks are maximising the loan rates we have to pay them, depending on what our data traces tell them about our "risk" to pay them back. Some insurers are using our Facebook friends’ network to see whether we may be filing a fraudulent car accident with them. Others check whether we may fall sick and already take medication or anti-depressives? More important: Are we hanging out with people who are sick or unreliable? What does our social network and communications tell them about us? Or what kind of neighbourhood do we physically live in?" (http://derstandard.at/2000045303653/Networks-of-Control)
More Information
- Wolfie Christl: impact [at] crackedlabs.org