DIGITAL COLONIALISM: WHO OWNS THE WORLD'S DATA ECONOMY?

The digital age, while promising unprecedented connectivity and innovation, has paradoxically given rise to a new form of global exploitation termed digital colonialism. This phenomenon mirrors historical colonial practices, where powerful nations and corporations extract valuable resources from developing countries, but in this modern iteration, the primary resource is data. The global data economy, projected to reach trillions of dollars by 2033, is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few dominant tech giants, predominantly based in the Global North. This concentration of power is perpetuated through opaque data collection mechanisms, algorithmic control, and the establishment of critical digital infrastructure in the Global South, often with questionable consent.