Data capitalism and hypervisibility in the era of surveillance economy: Role of libraries

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Chisita, Collence T.; Durodolu, Oluwole Olumide; Rusero, Alexander M.

• Throughout history libraries of all types have and continue to play a critical role in educating communities through the dissemination of information to ensure an informed. However the proliferation of digital technologies raises critical questions concerning the ability of libraries to educate citizens on data capitalism and hypervisibility in the era of surveillance. Digital media has taken over the legacy media due to its ability to provide real- time data concerning socio-political events. While digital technologies provide opportunities for digital activists to create content and monetise it for personal gain, on the hand such platforms benefit data vendors or independent information professionals to make profit without the consent of the content providers. Libraries should not be blind to this phenomena since they are custodians of information/knowledge resources. Through adapting and implementing metaliteracy programmes, libraries can empower library users to deal with data capitalism and the surveillance economy. Using an interpretivist research approach the study will x-ray digital capitalism and what citizens need to know to enable them to deal with current trends in the dynamic information landscape. The study seek to find ways through which librarians can reassert themselves as vectors of technological adaptation in safe digital environs. The epistemological and technical role of librarians in empowering library users to understands the challenges and opportunities proffered by digital technologies cannot be underestimated considering their ability to withstand technological hitches in the quest for survival . Long live libraries the esprit de spaces of a compromised infosphere. The study proffers recommendations concerning how libraries should deal with the issue of digital and library user’s right to privacy

• Date created

  2024-04-26

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Politics of Libraries; Politics of Libraries VI: Solidarity
  • ; data capitalism; hypervisibility; surveillance economies; access to information; cyberlitariat

• Type of Item

  Conference/Workshop Presentation

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-r06c-pe57

• License

  Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International