Digital colonialism is an emerging challenge in the global ICT4D landscape. While it mirrors traditional colonialism, it operates through control over digital infrastructure and data rather than land and resources.
Humanitarian organizations must advocate for local control, promote open-source solutions, and support data sovereignty to limit digital colonialism. We need to ensure that the digital future is one that is fair, equitable, and inclusive for all.
What is “Digital Colonialism”?
Digital colonialism is defined as a modern iteration of colonialism where control over technology infrastructure, data, and digital ecosystems in developing countries is concentrated in the hands of a few global tech corporations, predominantly based in the Global North. This domination mirrors traditional colonialism, where economic, political, and cultural power was concentrated in the hands of a few nations, to the detriment of others.
In the digital context, powerful companies or countries extend their influence by controlling key aspects of the digital infrastructure in developing nations. These include:
- Data centers and cloud services: Many developing nations rely on cloud services provided by companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, which are based in the Global North. This creates dependencies on these external entities for data storage and processing.
- Digital platforms and services: Global platforms like Facebook, Google, and Twitter dominate the social media space in many developing countries, which affects how information is disseminated and consumed.
- Telecommunication infrastructure: Countries often depend on foreign companies to build and maintain essential communication infrastructure, from mobile networks to undersea internet cables.
Much like earlier forms of colonialism, this dynamic can stifle local innovation, limit sovereignty over data, and perpetuate unequal economic relationships. Digital colonialism is not just about who owns the infrastructure, but who has control over the data and how it’s used, which often results in economic gains flowing outward rather than supporting local economies.
How Digital Colonialism Differs from Techno-Colonialism
While often used interchangeably, “digital colonialism” and “techno-colonialism” have nuanced differences.
- Digital colonialism refers specifically to the control and influence exerted through digital infrastructure, platforms, and services, primarily in terms of data sovereignty and digital ecosystems. It emphasizes the power dynamics at play in internet governance, data access, and the development of digital economies.
- Techno-colonialism is a broader term that encompasses the imposition of technologies and technological systems that may not align with local needs or cultural contexts. This term includes not only digital infrastructure but also the export of hardware, surveillance technologies, and artificial intelligence systems that are often designed in the Global North but implemented in developing countries.
In essence, digital colonialism can be seen as a subset of techno-colonialism. Techno-colonialism covers a wider range of technological impositions, while digital colonialism focuses more narrowly on the control and exploitation of digital resources and ecosystems.
Four Examples of Digital Colonialism in ICT4D
1. Facebook’s Free Basics in Africa
One of the most prominent examples of digital colonialism is Facebook’s Free Basics initiative, particularly in countries across Africa. Free Basics offers limited internet access to users, but it is designed to keep users within Facebook’s ecosystem. Instead of providing open access to the full internet, Free Basics provides a curated list of websites, with Facebook at the center.
Critics argue that this initiative restricts users’ ability to explore the wider internet, and reinforces Facebook’s monopoly in digital markets across Africa. The service creates a dependence on Facebook as a primary internet portal, limiting the opportunities for local internet companies to grow and thrive.
2. Google’s Control Over Cloud Services
Many African countries, along with others in the Global South, rely heavily on Google Cloud for data storage and processing. Google’s cloud services, alongside those of Amazon and Microsoft, create a situation where vital data from developing nations is stored in data centers located in the Global North.
This not only puts data sovereignty at risk but also restricts the development of local cloud service providers. By centralizing data storage and processing outside the borders of developing nations, these countries become vulnerable to decisions made by foreign entities, which may not align with their national interests .
3. Huawei Building Africa’s Telecom Networks
Chinese tech giant Huawei has been at the forefront of building telecommunications infrastructure in many African countries. While this has expanded internet and mobile access across the continent, it has also raised concerns about digital sovereignty and surveillance.
Many of the systems that Huawei installs are controlled and maintained by Huawei technicians, leaving local governments with limited control over the critical infrastructure. This has led to concerns that these countries are becoming overly dependent on foreign technology and expertise, creating a form of digital colonialism where a foreign company holds the reins of essential communications infrastructure .
4. Amazon Web Services in Latin America
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made significant inroads into Latin American markets, where many governments and businesses rely on its cloud infrastructure for storing and processing sensitive data.
However, as AWS is headquartered in the U.S., its dominance raises concerns about local data sovereignty. Should geopolitical tensions or legal disputes arise, governments in Latin America could find themselves vulnerable to foreign control over their data infrastructure, raising the specter of digital colonialism .
4 Ways Humanitarians Can Stop Digital Colonialism
Humanitarian organizations can play a crucial role in addressing and preventing digital colonialism by promoting policies and practices that encourage local ownership, capacity building, and data sovereignty. Here are four ways humanitarians can stop digital colonialism:
1. Support Local Innovation and Infrastructure
Humanitarian organizations should prioritize investment in local digital infrastructure and support local tech ecosystems. This includes funding locally-run data centers and cloud services, promoting local content creation, and advocating for open access to the internet. Encouraging local innovation helps build the capacity of developing nations to control their digital futures. By doing so, they can reduce dependency on foreign tech giants.
2. Promote Open-Source Solutions
Open-source technology can play a significant role in reducing the dominance of proprietary systems controlled by multinational companies. Humanitarian organizations can support the development and use of open-source platforms, which are customizable and can be adapted to local contexts without the need for costly licenses. This promotes digital sovereignty and ensures that local organizations have full control over the technology they use .
3. Advocate for Stronger Data Sovereignty Laws
Humanitarian organizations should advocate for stronger data protection and sovereignty laws that ensure data generated within a country is stored and processed locally. This will prevent the outflow of sensitive data to foreign companies and help developing countries build their own data economies. By supporting policy initiatives that protect data sovereignty, organizations can prevent exploitation and help nations retain control over their digital resources .
4. Engage in Capacity Building and Skills Transfer
The most effective ways to combat digital colonialism is through capacity building. Humanitarian organizations should focus on programs that transfer skills and knowledge to local populations. This includes training in digital literacy, software development, and IT infrastructure management. By empowering local talent, humanitarian organizations can reduce the reliance on foreign expertise and technologies, helping communities build sustainable and self-sufficient digital ecosystems.
