[Geo4All] Earth Observation data colonialism and its impact for humanity

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues,

Climate change is an urgent global challenge that affects us all. And for those who are vulnerable and already struggling, the impacts are even harsher. Earth observations offer a vital scientific framework for monitoring and addressing these pressing issues.

Earth observations offer far more than just images from space. They provide valuable information on various aspects of the Earth’s well-being, from deforestation rates to urban resilience, and more. These insights contribute to climate models that help guide policy decisions, making science and policy mutually reinforcing.

This BBC article “Canada wildfires: Trudeau criticises Facebook over news ban amid crisis” might be of interest.

According to this BBC article published on 21st August 2023 , “Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused Facebook of putting "profits ahead of people's safety" after it blocked news amid devastating wildfires in the country. Facebook banned news on its platform in response to Canadian law forcing it to share profit with news outlets. Wildfire evacuees have said the ban has impacted their ability to share critical news with each other.”

Details at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66573512

If this is the situation in a rich country like Canada, imagine the situation in a poor country in the developing world ? Some Big Tech companies are becoming more powerful than countries.

In 2022 , I wrote a Data Values article which looks into  Digital Feudalism in Earth Observation (EO) data affecting farmers. I thank the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD) for inviting me to write this article. More details at https://datavaluesdigest.substack.com/p/how-digital-feudalism-hurts-farmers

Data Colonialism/Data Feudalism  might also lead to questions around the  rise of  EO data platform monopolies benefiting a few big companies and the power imbalance that could create; as well as the resulting EO data asymmetry and its impact on the global society.

As a member of the Ethics Sub Group at the Group on Earth Observations(GEO) ,I have been raising these topics for many years in GEO. For example, What is the impact of EO Data Colonialism for African countries and for the people of Africa?

Who owns Africa EO/Geo Portals?  What are the costs to be paid per year to the GIS/EO Vendor Owners by African countries and citizens in a few years' time for accessing EO data and insights?

The Ethics Sub group was closed by GEO Secretariat in 2022. The closing of Data Ethics sub group in GEO raises many ethical questions.

It is essential that GEO Secretariat advance the dialogue on developing ethical principles and policy guidelines as a means to help address these issues. Thank you.

These articles might be of interest

This recording of Data Talk "Beyond "Data Colonialism": Shaping Data Governance through African Cultural Realities" organised by the Data Innovation Lab and links to various resources might be of interest. Details at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/wa-jisc.exe?A2=ind2405&L=GIS-UK&O=D&P=19244

Big Tech Companies Are Becoming More Powerful Than Nation-States

“They are already richer than many countries, and the rise of AI looks set to increase their influence.The world's biggest tech companies are now richer and more powerful than most countries.”

Details at https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/big-tech-companies-more-powerful-than-nations

The Big Tech Antitrust Battle Is A Fight For Democracy
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2022/06/17/big-tech-antitrust-battle-fight-democracy


Big Tech and AI companies are getting even more powerful than governments. Will this lead to the rise of Billionaire Tech CEOs as the most powerful rulers of the world in the future? What will be the impact of this for humanity?

Governments need to regulate the Big Tech to protect democracy, protect human rights and prevent corruption.

Best wishes

Suchith


Professor Suchith Anand
Professor of Practice in Science Policy at the University of Exeter | Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | SDG Volunteer and Advocate

Email - S.Anand at exeter.ac.uk<mailto:S.Anand at exeter.ac.uk>

https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/staff/anand/
https://ethicaldatainitiative.org<https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/>


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