Book review: Data Grab by U.A. Mejias and N. Couldry

This book explores the consequences of the rise of the digital economy and its impact on society, democracy and human autonomy. It examines how data has become the central resource of today’s economy, controlled by a few powerful tech giants. I was already aware of the data we give away so freely, but now I am sure…

The Commodification of Human Experience

The authors, Mejias and Couldry, argue that the digital economy is based on the monetisation of human experience. This process, which they call ‘datafication’, involves turning everyday activities, interactions and behaviours into data. This data can be quantified, analysed and monetised. Whether you listen to songs on Spotify, order books from Amazon or search on Google. Big companies collect vast amounts of data from us, often without our explicit consent or understanding of the extent to which it is being collected.

This data is then used to fuel advertising, predictive analytics and other forms of surveillance capitalism. By transforming human experience into a resource that can be exploited for profit, the digital economy erodes the boundary between the personal and the commercial, with profound ethical and social consequences. The authors draw examples of this approach to classical colonialism.

Concentration of Power in Digital Platforms

“Data Grab shows how the digital economy has led to a concentration of power in the hands of a few. Mejias and Couldry describe how large corporations have established near-monopolistic control over the digital infrastructure that underpins modern society. These platforms not only collect and control vast amounts of data, but also shape the way information is distributed, consumed and understood.

The authors argue that this concentration of power is problematic because it allows these companies to influence public discourse, consumer behaviour and even political outcomes. Moreover, the lack of transparency and accountability in the way these platforms operate reinforces their power and makes it difficult for anyone else to challenge their dominance.

Implications for Democracy and Social Justice

Finally, Mejias and Couldry explore the broader implications of the digital economy for democracy and social justice. They argue that data-driven practices undermine the foundations of democratic society by eroding privacy and the capacity for collective action. The authors suggest that the digital economy’s focus on individualised data extraction and exploitation fosters social fragmentation. This is because people are increasingly treated as isolated data points rather than members of a collective whole. This in turn weakens the social ties that are essential for democratic governance and social solidarity.

They also emphasise that the harms of the digital economy are not evenly distributed; marginalised communities are often more affected by the exploitation of data, exacerbating existing inequalities. Mejias and Couldry call for a re-imagining of the digital economy,not so different from what J. Hickel writes. In conclusion, “Data Grab” offers a compelling critique of the digital economy. It opens our eyes to the current situation in which everyone shares everything. It makes us aware that we might want to choose a different path…

Ulises A. Mejias is a professor at the OSWEGO State University of New York and Nick Couldry is a professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

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Mejias, Ulises A., and Nick Couldry. 2024. Data Grab: The New Colonialism of Big Tech and How to Fight Back. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226832319.001.0001.

• Big Tech
• Data
• Economy