Weaponization of data: the role of data in modern warfare

The 21st century is swamped with innumerable technologies distributed across different fields. Consequently, loads of data is being generated, transforming it into a tactical forte. Using appropriate tools and procedures, data can be appraised to generate enhanced insights into facts vital in decision-making for governments and businesses alike. However, despite its significance in strategic security, little attention has been paid to this concept. Accordingly, this article analyses ways in which data has influenced modern warfare and ways in which its potential misuse can be mitigated upon. Specifically, it highlights the aspect of power dissemination abetted by data availability, its influence in military strategies and procedures, and the role it plays in tactical intelligence and surveillance as well as military decision-making. The study adopts a qualitative and analytical research design as it comes with fewer ethical considerations. Secondary data is gathered from existing records, journals, reports, internet sources, policy papers, presented papers and books. Using the case study of Russia and Ukraine, the findings indicate that data has been transformative in present-day conflicts. Through open source data, actionable intelligence has been realized. Further, technologies such as remote sensing have been valuable to tactical intelligence, while the documentation of war crimes provided situational awareness in Ukraine as well. For ethical purposes, therefore, the use of data in the battlefield calls for sufficient regulations to oversee its use. This will also ensure caution during its deployment for the preservation of human rights as stipulated in the International Humanitarian Law.