Data Colonialism

Data colonialism refers to the practice where powerful entities, often corporations or governments, extract and control large amounts of personal data from individuals and communities. This process mirrors traditional colonialism by acquiring resources—here, data—without fair compensation or consent, and using it to influence, monitor, or profit at the expense of those whose data is taken. It raises concerns about data sovereignty, privacy, and power imbalances, emphasizing that data has economic and political significance similar to physical resources in colonial history.