In the film Jason Bourne (2016) tech big shot Aaron Kalloor has created Deep Dream, a sinister social media platform with the capacity to capture data from millions of citizens. After announcing to a media audience ‘you will not be watched’ in response to a query about the security of personal data Kalloor meets up with CIA director Robert Dewey in a dingy restaurant. The two argue over the merits of internet freedom versus surveillance and agree to hold a debate about privacy rights. Dodgy Dewey’s real aim though is to acquire data from Deep Dream for his global surveillance purposes. Kalloor seems to agree but later Dewey senses he is unsure and orders his assassination.

Data Capital

Forward to 2020 and in a world being shaped by the growing powers of Data Capital citizens are more concerned than ever about data security and clandestine surveillance. This is not a film or a fantasy. In five years Data Capital will be served by swelling numbers of online workers. According to an Oxford Economics report authored by William Xu:

By 2025 the industrial internet is predicted to experience massive growth, with industries across the board seeking high levels of digitisation and intelligence. By then we expect the digital economy to grow further, to 23.4 percent of global GDP.

The 23.4 percent figure was predicted before the Covid-19 pandemic which many believe will retard global growth for years to come. However, there are signs the digital economy might grow faster than predicted as workers and consumers respond to lockdowns by using digital tools and working at home. Consumer driven Big tech have seen their revenues soar despite Covid-19. Pandemic proof Amazon increased its profits in the 2nd quarter this year as did other eCommerce platforms. Small tech is making it big like the video conferencing platform Zoom.

#zombies #data-regulation #algorithms #digital-transformation #data-science