Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
11th INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION DAYS DIGITAL INEQUALITY & DATA COLONIALISM SYMPOSIUM, İstanbul, Türkiye, 15 - 17 Mayıs 2024, ss.459-471, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
Colonialism, a practice rooted in domination, describes societies throughout history expanding their influence by absorbing neighboring territories and settling their populations in newly acquired lands. In a contemporary context, data colonialism has emerged, reflecting the historical patterns of subjugation. Powerful entities, often from the Global North, now extract, control, and exploit data from the Global South and marginalized communities, mirroring traditional colonial practices. This parallel between historical nation-state colonization and the digital age underscores data’s role as a new form of resource colonization. In many cases, colonialism ends through a process of decolonization in which colonies gain independence from the imperial power. This process can be peaceful or involve significant struggles and conflicts. Similarly, data decolonization, which seeks to liberate digital domains, is linked to the decolonization movement of the mid-20th century. The objective of the study is to map the path of data decolonization in Türkiye. It does so through online in-depth interviews with experts from data-related NGOs and academia, framed within the context of data decolonization practices. The present research illuminates collective efforts to assert self-determination in the realm of data. The findings delineate the dynamics of data colonization and decolonization in Türkiye, shedding light on their trajectories. The outcomes of this research furnish valuable guidance for the pursuit of equitable, universal access, control, and benefits from digital resources.