Critics of Big Tech often describe ‘surveillance capitalism’ in grim terms, blaming it for all kinds of political and social ills. This article co

In Defense of ‘Surveillance Capitalism’

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2024-10-23 15:30:03

Critics of Big Tech often describe ‘surveillance capitalism’ in grim terms, blaming it for all kinds of political and social ills. This article counters this pessimistic narrative, offering a more favorable take on companies like Google, YouTube, and Twitter/X. It argues that the downsides of surveillance capitalism are overstated, while the benefits are largely overlooked. Specifically, the article examines six critical areas: i) targeted advertising, ii) the influence of surveillance capitalism on politics, iii) its impact on mental health, iv) its connection with government surveillance, v) its effects on the rule of law and social trust, and vi) privacy concerns. For each area, it will be argued that concerns about surveillance capitalism are unfounded or exaggerated. The article also explores some benefits of the services provided by these technology companies and concludes with a discussion of the practical implications. Throughout, the article draws on empirical evidence relating to the societal and political impact of digital technologies.

Critics of data-collecting tech giants such as Google, YouTube and Twitter/X have painted an alarming picture of what they call ‘surveillance capitalism’. Comparing these companies to brutal conquistadors or blood-smelling predators, critics blame surveillance capitalism for all kinds of social and political ills and mark it as one of the great evils of our time.Footnote 1 My project in this paper is to challenge this pessimistic narrative and to offer a more positive perspective.