Digital colonialism is one of the most emblematic expressions of contemporary power dynamics, where technology plays a central role in perpetuating inequalities. This concept describes how large technology corporations use digital infrastructure to exert political, economic, and social control, recreating, in new forms, the structures of domination found in historical colonialism.
The term “digital colonialism” was coined by thinkers such as Michael Kwet, who highlighted how digital technology is used as a tool of domination. For Kwet, it is an appropriation process involving both the exploitation of data and technological dependence, directly affecting nations and communities in the Global South. Nick Couldry and Ulises A. Mejias expanded the debate by introducing the concept of “data colonialism,” focusing on the exploitation of personal information as a valuable resource in contemporary capitalism.
This new form of colonialism manifests in several dimensions. One of the most evident examples is data extraction. Large corporations treat user information as if it were a natural resource to be exploited, transforming aspects of human life into commodities. Under the pretext of improving digital services and experiences, these companies accumulate data that, in practice, is used to profit and enhance their power. Simultaneously, these same companies monopolize digital infrastructure, controlling software, hardware, and connectivity, which perpetuates the technological dependence of less industrialized countries. The result is a global digital divide that reinforces historical inequalities.
Another striking characteristic of digital colonialism is the perpetuation of social and racial hierarchies through technology. Algorithms and artificial intelligence systems often replicate biases, exacerbating discrimination and consolidating inequalities. This process, known as digital racialization, reflects how racism is embedded and reproduced by technological tools, creating additional barriers for historically marginalized populations.
Moreover, digital colonialism promotes a monopoly on knowledge. The corporations that dominate technology not only concentrate data but also control its processing and application, deepening global dependence on their innovations. In this context, digital technologies act as an extension of imperialism, imposing cultural norms, languages, and values that disregard the diversity of human perspectives and experiences.
The impact of digital colonialism extends beyond the technological sphere. It is also deeply connected to violence and exploitation in areas such as the extraction of essential minerals for the electronics industry. Examples include the inhumane conditions in cobalt mines in the Congo, which fuel the production chains of major technology companies.
The discourse surrounding digital colonialism is often wrapped in technological evangelism, extolling the benefits of connecting unconnected populations and promoting digital inclusion. However, behind this narrative lies a logic of expropriation, in which vulnerable communities see their cultures and data commodified. This dynamic resembles a new form of techno-feudalism, where users depend on digital platforms and are controlled by algorithms.
At the core of digital colonialism is the manipulation of human cognition, designed to expand capital accumulation and perpetuate the power of major corporations. This new configuration of power demands attention, as it redefines not only economic relationships but also the meanings and senses of human interactions in a world increasingly mediated by technology.
To address the challenges posed by digital colonialism, it is essential to recognize its implications and promote strategies that prioritize technological sovereignty, ethical digital inclusion, and the regulation of data usage. Only then will it be possible to transform technology into a tool of emancipation and social justice, rather than perpetuating inequalities and exploiting vulnerable communities.
Victor T. Murari
Art History, Education & Artificial Intelligence | PhD | Advancing Educational and Cultural Narratives through AI Integration