Data Colonialism Inquiry: From Explaining New Forms of Domination to the Necessity of National Data Governance

Latifzadeh, Mahdieh

doi:10.22034/jipm.2025.2052402.1927

Data Colonialism Inquiry: From Explaining New Forms of Domination to the Necessity of National Data Governance

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Mahdieh Latifzadeh

Assistant professor of private law, Department (The Research Group) of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law, Institute for Islamic Studies in Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.22034/jipm.2025.2052402.1927

Abstract

In the current era, where data is recognized as a strategic asset of nations, large technology companies, by leveraging advanced tools, seize users' data instead of conquering lands and natural resources. This study demonstrates how big tech companies have shaped a new concept of domination-data colonialism-by creating data-centric structures. This study employs a qualitative content analysis method to conduct a multifaceted examination of the phenomenon of data colonialism. Although the scope of data colonialism transcends geographical boundaries and has become a global challenge with international dimensions, this study focuses on the national domain, especially proposing solutions to strengthen the country’s capacity to confront this phenomenon. The findings identify four main factors as foundational elements of data colonialism: legal gaps and weaknesses in legal requirements, lack of technical infrastructure, weak supervisory mechanisms, and low levels of data literacy. These factors interact to weaken data sovereignty and ultimately undermine the data governance system. Therefore, to counter this phenomenon, the present study emphasizes the necessity of adopting a comprehensive and systematic approach and offers corresponding solutions, including specific legislation and strengthening legal frameworks, developing technical infrastructure, enhancing supervisory mechanisms, and increasing digital literacy. The results also show that these solutions, through their interaction, can reinforce national data sovereignty and solidify the data governance system. Ultimately, the study confirms that effectively addressing this phenomenon requires defining a new legal framework in which data sovereignty is recognized and supported as one of the fundamental pillars of national sovereignty.

Keywords

Data Colonialism

Data Governance

Digital Literacy

Cyber Power

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Subjects

Other New Fields and Topics in Information and Knowledge Management

فهرست منابع

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