I just read a list of the companies that are tracking everyone on just one popular web site and it is absurd. Do you realize the extent to which this is going on?
Surveillance capitalism is an economic system in which companies collect and monetize personal data from individuals, often without their full knowledge or consent, in order to predict and modify their behavior for profit.
The key aspects of surveillance capitalism are:
– Companies, led by tech giants like Google and Facebook, collect vast amounts of personal data from people’s online activities, purchases, locations, and more[6][7].
– This data is then used to make highly accurate predictions about people’s future behaviors, thoughts, and emotions[8][9].
– These behavioral predictions are then sold to third parties, such as advertisers, who can use the information to influence and manipulate people’s actions[8][9].
– The purpose is not to serve people’s needs, but to maximize corporate profits by exploiting human behavior and experiences as a source of raw material[8].
– This process disregards individual privacy and autonomy, as people’s personal data is extracted and commodified without their full awareness or consent[8].
Surveillance capitalism represents a fundamental shift from traditional capitalism, which was based on the production and sale of goods and services. Instead, surveillance capitalism feeds on human experiences and behaviors, treating them as free raw material to be captured and used for profit[8][10].
Here are the top 10 ways surveillance capitalism breaks democracy
1. It creates unprecedented concentrations of knowledge and power that are inherently anti-democratic. Surveillance capitalists know far more about us than we know about them or ourselves[2][3].
2. It erodes our autonomy and free will by using “economies of herd” and subtle behavioral modification to shape our actions towards profitable outcomes[2].
3. It introduces new axes of social inequality and injustice through these knowledge asymmetries[2].
4. It forecloses alternatives and makes us dependent on surveillance platforms just to participate in daily life[2].
5. It undermines the capacity for moral judgment and critical thinking necessary for a healthy democracy by diminishing our right to the future tense and human agency[2].
6. It enables unprecedented commercial surveillance and manipulation of human behavior at a population scale, which is fundamentally at odds with democratic principles[3][4].
7. It has spread rapidly across the economy, extending its reach into our bodies, homes, and cities, challenging human autonomy and democratic sovereignty[5].
8. It has been able to operate largely unchecked by laws and regulations as “democracy has slept” in the face of these new economic mechanisms[4].
9. It represents a new “original sin” of capitalism, claiming private human experience as raw material to be translated into profitable data products, without consent or accountability[5].
10. It has quickly overwhelmed the earlier democratic vision of the internet, transforming it into an invasive and exploitative economic order[4].
Surveillance capitalism breaks democracy by creating unprecedented asymmetries of knowledge and power, which ultimately leads to a society where citizens are manipulated rather than empowered. Surveillance capitalism leads to a future characterized by the erosion of democratic values and individual autonomy, ultimately resulting in a society where all citizens are marginalized and their rights are compromised in favor of profit and control.
Erosion of Rights to Expect if Trend Continues
People are likely to lose several fundamental rights first as surveillance capitalism expands, including:
1. Right to Privacy: The pervasive collection and commodification of personal data erodes individuals’ expectations of privacy in both public and private spheres, leading to a normalization of surveillance.
2. Freedom of Expression: Surveillance can create a chilling effect, where individuals self-censor their speech and actions due to fear of being monitored, undermining open discourse essential for democracy.
3. Autonomy and Free Will: The manipulation of behavior through targeted advertising and predictive algorithms compromises individual autonomy, as choices become influenced by external data-driven nudges rather than personal agency.
4. Right to Information: As misinformation spreads through manipulated data streams, citizens may lose access to accurate and diverse information, impairing their ability to make informed decisions.
5. Right to Assembly: Increased surveillance can deter individuals from organizing or participating in protests and public gatherings, undermining collective action and civic engagement.
These losses matter because they threaten the foundational principles of democracy,.
List of Companies Spying On You
Is it really “spying?” What else would you call it? If you prefer, you can say that they following companies are “actively conducting market research,” instead, but the effect is the same. Below is a partial list of companies collecting data on you. Most were found on just the ScienceAlert.com web site! The IP address ranges they use for scanning were not available. It seems there is no possible way to block them. Many web sites are denying access to their pages now if you use AdBlock or a similar plug-in with your web browser, but there are many ways these companies have to profile you anyway, because violating your privacy is their business.
This should be illegal because your devices are now an extension of your personal private space, they are an extension of your home. It is not legal for any company to spy on you in your home, and yet we do not question these cookies and other things we must accept to use web sites.
[33Across] 33across.co(dot)uk
[AcuityAds Inc.] acuityads(dot)com
[Acxiom] acxiom(dot)com
[Adacado] adacado(dot)com
[Adap.tv] verizonmedia(dot)com/platforms/adtech
[AdBrite] adbrite(dot)com
[Adconion] amobee(dot)com
[AddThis] addthis(dot)com
[Adform A/S] site.adform(dot)com
[AdGear] adgear(dot)com
[ADITION (Virtual Minds GmbH)] adition(dot)com
[Adkernel LLC] adkernel(dot)com
[Adknowledge] adknowledge(dot)com
[Adloox] adloox(dot)com
[Adnami Aps] adnami(dotio
[AdRoll] adroll(dot)com
[AdsWiz Inc.] adswizz(dot)com
[Adtelegent Inc.] adtelegent(dot)com
[AdTheorent, Inc.] adtheorent(dot)com
[ADventori SAS] adventori(dot)com
[Advertising(dot)com] verizonmedia(dot)com/platforms/adtech
[ADYOULIKE SA] adyoulike(dot)com
[Aggregate Knowledge] neustar(dotbiz
[Amazon Ad Server] advertising.amazon(dot)com/solutions/products/amazon-publisher-services
[Amazon Advertising] advertising.amazon(dot)com
[Aniview LTD] aniview(dot)com
[AppNexus] appnexus(dot)com
[Arcspire Limited] arcspire(dotio
[Audience Science] audiencescience(dot)com
[AWIN AG] awin(dot)com
[Bannerflow AB] bannerflow(dot)com
[Bannernow, Inc.] bannernow(dot)com
[Basis Global Technologies, Inc.] basis(dotnet
[Baynote Observer] baynote(dot)com
[BeeswaxIO Corporation] beeswax(dot)com
[BidTheatre AB] bidtheatre(dot)com
[Bing Ads] ads.microsoft(dot)com
[Blis Global Limited] blis(dot)com
[Blockthrough, Inc.] blockthrough(dot)com
[BlueKai] oracle(dot)com/cx/marketing/data-management-platform
[Bombora Inc.] bombora(dot)com
[BrightRoll] verizonmedia(dot)com/platforms/adtech
[Burst Media] rhythmone(dot)com
[Captify Technologies Limited] captifytechnologies(dot)com
[Casale Media] indexexchange(dot)com
[Celtra] celtra(dot)com
[Chitika] chitika(dot)com
[Collective] collective(dot)com
[comScore] www(dot)comscore(dot)com
[Conversant] conversantmedia(dot)com
[Crimtan Holdings Limited] crimtan(dot)com
[Criteo SA] criteo(dot)com
[DataXu] dataxu(dot)com
[Datonics] datonics(dot)com
[Demandbase, Inc.] demandbase(dot)com
[Demdex] adobe(dot)com/advertising/adobe-advertising-cloud.html
[Disqus] disqus(dot)com
[DoubleClick] doubleclickbygoogle(dot)com
[DoubleVerify] doubleverify(dot)com
[Emerse Sverige AB] emerse(dot)com
[Epsilon] epsilon(dot)com
[Equativ] equativ(dot)com
[ETARGET SE] etarget(dotsk
[eXelate] nielsen(dot)com/us/en/solutions/capabilities/nielseniq-exelate
[Experian] experian(dot)com
[Exponential Interactive, Inc d/b/a VDX.tv] vdx(dottv
[Eyeota] eyeota(dot)com
[Facebook Custom Audiences] facebook(dot)com/business/tools/custom-audiences
[Fifty Technology Limited] fiftymedia(dot)com
[Flashtalking] flashtalking(dot)com
[FreeWheel] freewheel(dot)com
[Google Advertising Products] ads.google(dot)com
[Google Marketing Platform] marketingplatform.google(dot)com
[Grapeshot] oracle(dot)com/cx/advertising/contextual-intelligence
[GumGum, Inc.] gumgum(dot)com
[illumin] illumin(dot)com
[Improve Digital] improvedigital(dot)com
[Index Exchange] indexexchange(dot)com
[Infolinks] infolinks(dot)com
[InMobi Pte Ltd] inmobi(dot)com
[Innovid] innovid(dot)com
[Integral Ad Science (ADmantX)] integralads(dot)com
[Intercept Interactive Inc. dba Undertone] undertone(dot)com
[IPSOS MORI UK LTD] ipsos(dot)com
[Jivox] jivox(dot)com
[Justpremium BV] justpremium(dot)com
[Kontera] amobee(dot)com
[Krux] salesforce(dot)com/products/marketing-cloud/data-management
[LiveRamp] liveramp(dot)com
[Longtail Ad Solutions, Inc dba JW Player]
[Loop Now Technologies Inc.] loopnow(dot)com
[Lotame] lotame(dot)com
[Magnite, Inc.] magnite(dot)com
[Media.net Advertising FZ-LLC]
[MediaMath] mediamath(dot)com
[Microsoft Advertising] ads.microsoft(dot)com
[Moat] moat(dot)com
[Mobility-Ads GmbH] mobilityads(dot)com
[N.Rich Technologies Inc.] n(dotrich
[Nativo, Inc.] nativo(dot)com
[Neustar] home.neustar{(dot)com ?}
[Nexxen Group LLC] nexxen(dot)com
[Nielsen Media Research Ltd.] nielsen(dot)com
[Nielsen] nielsen(dot)com
[nPario] npario(dot)com
[Ogury Ltd] ogury(dot)com
[OneTag Limited] onetag(dot)com
[OpenX] openx(dot)com
[Opera Software Ireland Limited] opera(dot)com
[Opt Out Advertising B.V.] optoutadvertising(dot)com
[Oracle Data Cloud] oracle(dot)com/cx/advertising
[Outbrain UK Ltd] outbrain(dot)com
[PadSquad] padsquad(dot)com
[Peer39] peer39(dot)com
[Platform161 B.V.] platform161(dot)com
[PLAYGROUND XYZ EMEA LTD] playgroundxyz(dot)com
[Proximic] comscore(dot)com/Products/Activation/Proximic
[PubMatic] pubmatic(dot)com
[Quantcast] quantcast(dot)com
[Radio Net Media Limited]
[Rockabox Media Ltd] scoota(dot)com
[Rocket Fuel] rocketfuel(dot)com
[RTB House S.A.] rtbhouse(dot)com
[Rubicon Project] rubiconproject(dot)com
[SabaVision] sabavision(dot)com
[Salesforce Audience Studio] salesforce(dot)com/products/marketing-cloud/data-management
[Seedtag Advertising S.L] seedtag(dot)com
[Sharethrough, Inc.] sharethrough(dot)com
[Simpli.fi] simpli(dot)fi
[Sizmek] sizmek(dot)com
[Skimbit Ltd (Skimlinks)] skimlinks(dot)com
[Smaato, Inc.] smaato(dot)com
[SMADEX, S.L.U.] smadex(dot)com
[Smartology Limited] smartology(dot)net
[Specific Media] specificmedia(dot)com
[Spongecell] spongecell(dot)com
[SpotXchange] spotx(dot)tv
[StackAdapt Inc.] stackadapt(dot)com
[Stroer SSP GmbH (SSP)] stroer(dot)de
[Taboola] taboola(dot)com
[TargusInfo] targusinfo(dot)com
[Teads France SAS] teads(dot)com
[The Trade Desk, Inc.] thetradedesk(dot)com
[TowerData] towerdata(dot)com
[Tremor Video] tremorvideo(dot)com
[Tribal Fusion] exponential(dot)com
[TripleLift, Inc.] triplelift(dot)com
[Triton Digital Canada Inc.] tritondigital(dot)com
[Trueffect] trueffect(dot)com
[TubeMogul] adobe(dot)com/advertising/adobe-advertising-cloud.html
[Turn] amobee(dot)com/platform
[Tynt Insight] tynt(dot)com
[Undertone] undertone(dot)com
[ValueClick Media] amobee(dot)com
[Vibrant Media] vibrantmedia(dot)com
[Videology] amobee(dot)com
[Vidoomy Media SL] vidoomy(dot)com
[Xandr, Inc.] xandr(dot)com
[Yahoo Web Analytics] analytics.yahoo(dot)com
[Yektan] yektanet(dot)com
[Yieldlab (Virtual Minds GmbH)] yieldlab(dot)de
[YuMe] yume(dot)com
Holy bleep, right? That is a long list, and probably a very small slice of the democracy disabling spy pie! This list represents a wide range of advertising and tracking companies that operate across the web, collecting user data and serving targeted ads[1][3][4][5]. It’s important to note that the prevalence and reach of these trackers can vary significantly, with some like Google Marketing Platform and Facebook Custom Audiences having a much larger presence than others[1][3].
What Can Be Done?
To effectively counteract surveillance capitalism, society must focus on three key strategies: shifting public opinion, implementing comprehensive legal frameworks, and promoting competitive solutions that prioritize user empowerment and data privacy.
Narrow Window to Protest
If you think you will speak up to protect your right to privacy once the problem gets bad enough, you might want to think again because by the time the consequences of surveillance capitalism become overwhelmingly evident, fear, social stigma, and potential repercussions may silence dissenters, making it increasingly difficult to mobilize collective action. Additionally, the normalization of surveillance can create a sense of helplessness, where individuals feel that their voices are insignificant against powerful corporations and government entities, leading to apathy rather than activism. This gradual erosion of privacy rights can also foster a culture of compliance, where people accept invasive practices as the status quo, further entrenching the very systems that undermine their freedoms. Therefore, proactive engagement and advocacy for privacy rights are essential before the situation escalates to a point where speaking out becomes perilous or ineffective. While the USA is still a democracy of sorts, now is the time to speak up.
Shifting Public Opinion
Changing public perception is crucial to combatting surveillance capitalism. Individuals can educate themselves and others about the implications of data commodification and the risks associated with sharing personal information online. Engaging in discussions, sharing informative resources, and advocating for privacy rights can help raise awareness. People can also support movements and organizations that promote digital rights and privacy, thereby creating a collective voice against invasive practices.
Implementing Comprehensive Legal Frameworks
Governments play a vital role in regulating surveillance capitalism. Citizens can advocate for stronger data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, which aims to give individuals more control over their personal data. Engaging in the political process by voting for representatives who prioritize privacy rights and holding them accountable can lead to the development of comprehensive legal frameworks that govern data usage and protect consumers from exploitation. Additionally, supporting antitrust actions against monopolistic tech companies can help dismantle their power.
Promoting Competitive Solutions
Encouraging competition in the tech industry is essential for reducing the monopolistic hold of major corporations. Individuals can choose to support businesses that prioritize user privacy and ethical data practices, such as those that offer paid services instead of relying on ad revenue. By opting for alternatives to mainstream platforms, consumers can drive demand for more ethical business models. Furthermore, advocating for interoperability between services can foster a more competitive environment where users have more choices and control over their data.
By actively participating in these strategies, individuals can contribute to a broader movement aimed at reclaiming privacy and ensuring that technology serves the public good rather than undermining democratic values.
Read More
[1] https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1483285/FULLTEXT01.pdf
[2] https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/03/harvard-professor-says-surveillance-capitalism-is-undermining-democracy/
[3] https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/shoshana-zuboff-q-and-a-the-age-of-surveillance-capital.html
[4] https://www.mediaed.org/digital-disconnect-10/
[5] https://newlaborforum.cuny.edu/2019/01/22/surveillance-capitalism/
[6 https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/surveillance-capitalism
[7] https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/surveillance-capitalism
[8] https://infoguides.pepperdine.edu/digitalliteracy/surveillancecapitalism
[9] https://www.shortform.com/blog/what-is-surveillance-capitalism/
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance_capitalism
[11] https://www.nbcuniversal.com/privacy/ortp
[12] https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/xandr/policies-regulations/third-party-providers
[13] https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrosoftEdge/comments/n3258x/microsoft_edge_and_privacy/?rdt=45072
[14] https://preferences-mgr.truste.com/?type=pop
[15] https://www.ringier-advertising.ch/en/about-our-advertising/
[16] https://www.teads.com
[17] https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0886307D:FP
[18] https://www.teads.com/legal-mentions/
[19] https://www.wired.com/story/cookie-pop-up-ad-tech-partner-top-websites/
[20] https://mondaynote.com/20-home-pages-500-trackers-loaded-media-succumbs-to-monitoring-frenzy-9efeb389cbbd
[21] https://securelist.com/tracker-report-2021-2022/108079/
[22] https://www.digitaltrends.com/web/top-100-websites-how-are-they-tracking-you/
[23] https://trends.builtwith.com/analytics/advertiser-tracking/traffic/Top-100k
[24] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/26317877221129290
[25] https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/oct/04/shoshana-zuboff-surveillance-capitalism-assault-human-automomy-digital-privacy
[26] https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/shoshana-zuboff-q-and-a-the-age-of-surveillance-capital.html
[27] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ0josfRzp4
[28] https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/what-s-the-antidote-to-surveillance-capitalism
[29] https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-11756-5_16
[30] https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/how-can-we-fight-back-against-surveillance-capitalism.php
[31] https://feps-europe.eu/resisting-surveillance/
[32] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/20/shoshana-zuboff-age-of-surveillance-capitalism-google-facebook
[33] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4292299
