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

This book delves into the consequences of the digital economy’s rise and its impact on society, democracy, and human autonomy. It examines how data has become the central resource of contemporary economy, controlled by a few powerful tech giants. I already was aware of the data we give out 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 monetization of human experience. This process, which they term “datafication,” involves turning everyday activities, interactions, and behaviors into data. This data can be quantified, analyzed, and monetized. Whether you listen to songs on Spotify, order books from Amazon or search with Google. Big companies collect vast amounts of data from us, often without our explicit consent or understanding of the extent to which the data is being harvested.

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, leading to profound ethical and social consequences. The authors show examples of this procedure to classic colonialism.

Concentration of Power in Digital Platforms

“Data Grab” highlights how the digital economy has led to a concentration of power in the hands of a few. Mejias and Couldry describe how big companies 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 ways in which information is disseminated, consumed, and understood.

The authors argue that this concentration of power is problematic because it allows these corporations to exert influence over public discourse, consumer behavior, and even political outcomes. Moreover, the lack of transparency and accountability in how these platforms operate exacerbates their power, making it difficult for everyone 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 the 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 individualized data extraction and exploitation fosters social fragmentation. This is, as people are increasingly treated as isolated data points rather than members of a collective whole. This, in turn, weakens the social bonds that are essential for democratic governance and social solidarity.

Moreover, they emphasize that the harms of the digital economy are not distributed equally; marginalized communities often are more impacted by data exploitation, increasing existing inequalities. Mejias and Couldry call for a reimagining of the digital economy, not so different of what J. Hickel writes. In conclusion, “Data Grab” offers a compelling critique of the digital economy. It is an eye-opener to the current situation in which everyone shares everything. It makes aware, that we might want to choose to go 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 Politcal 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