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| New Edition: Indigenous Statistics: From Data Deficits to Data Sovereignty |
| The second edition of Indigenous Statistics introduces a transformative approach to quantitative research methodologies concerning Indigenous populations. Authors Maggie Walter, Chris Andersen, Tahu Kukutai, and Stephanie Gabel critically examine traditional statistical practices, advocating for Indigenous data sovereignty and methodologies that respect Indigenous knowledge systems. This work challenges conventional data paradigms, promoting research that empowers Indigenous communities. Learn more. |
| Book Release: State of Fear: Policing a Postcolonial City |
| In State of Fear, Joshua Barker delves into the mechanisms through which fear and violence are perpetuated in urban settings, focusing on Bandung, Indonesia. Through ethnographic research, Barker explores how policing practices and everyday governance contribute to a climate of fear, shedding light on the complex interplay between state power and societal control in postcolonial contexts. Discover more. |
| Research Article: “Building a Digital Wall: The Political Economy of Smart Surveillance in Curitiba, Brazil” |
| This article examines Curitiba’s “Digital Wall” project, an initiative integrating algorithmic surveillance technologies into urban management. The study analyses the political and economic implications of such smart surveillance systems, discussing their impact on privacy, governance, and the socio-economic landscape of this city. Read the full article. |
| Chapter Highlight: “Morocco’s Governance of Cities and Borders: AI-Enhanced Surveillance, Facial Recognition, and Human Rights” |
| Featured in The Cambridge Handbook of Facial Recognition in the Modern State, this chapter by Sylvia I. Bergh and colleagues critically examines Morocco’s deployment of AI-driven surveillance technologies. The authors discuss the balance between national security interests and human rights, highlighting the challenges of monitoring human rights amidst the increasing use of AI-enhanced tools in governance. Access the chapter. |
| Upcoming Conference: RightsCon 2025 in Taipei |
| The 13th edition of RightsCon is scheduled to take place in Taipei and online from February 24 to 27, 2025. As a premier event at the intersection of human rights and technology, RightsCon 2025 will feature over 550 sessions across 18 tracks, facilitating discussions on pressing issues such as digital privacy, AI ethics, and internet governance. Our board member, Dr Yung Au will be there; please get in touch for collaborations and discussions! Explore the program. |
| Book Talk: “Predatory Data” with Anita Say Chan |
| Anita Say Chan’s latest work, Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future, offers a critical examination of how contemporary big data practices echo historical eugenics movements. Chan advocates for reimagining data infrastructures to promote justice and inclusivity, drawing connections between past and present data exploitation. A recent book talk provides deeper insights into her research and perspectives. Watch the discussion. |
| IJC Africa Spyware and Digital Surveillance Project: Call for Proposals |
| The International Justice Clinic (IJC) at UC Irvine School of Law is calling for proposals for its Africa Spyware and Digital Surveillance Project. Successful applicants will receive a subgrant from the IJC, funded by the Ford Foundation’s Spyware Accountability Initiative. Proposals for research or policy advocacy projects should aim at documenting or responding to the use and/or procurement of spyware and/or other digital surveillance in Africa, as well as capacity-building projects that support the generation of such research or actions. Read more here |
| Translation Suggestions |
| Do you have any translation recommendations of surveillance-related research and theory from the Majority World? Do you know of any work that could reach a wider audience and contribute to the field of surveillance studies? If so, please get in touch. We will assist you with translation, publication, or copy-editing. Send your recommendations to contact@surveillance-majority-world.net |
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