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Infrastructures of Control on the Global Web: Framing the Global

Marcel Proust

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Published in The Digital Frontier: Infrastructures Of Control On The Global Web (Framing The Global)

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The internet has become an essential part of our lives. We use it to communicate with friends and family, to learn new things, to do our jobs, and to shop. But the internet is not a neutral space. It is shaped by the infrastructures of control that govern how we access and use it.

The Digital Frontier: Infrastructures of Control on the Global Web (Framing the Global)

by Sangeet Kumar

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4222 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	330 pages

These infrastructures of control are often invisible to us. They are the technical systems, the legal frameworks, and the social norms that determine who can access the internet, what they can do on it, and how their activities are monitored and controlled.

In this book, I examine the infrastructures of control that shape the global web. I argue that these infrastructures frame the way we experience and interact with the world online. They determine what information we see, how we communicate with others, and what kinds of activities we are able to engage in.

Chapter 1: The Technical Infrastructures of Control

The technical infrastructures of control are the physical and digital systems that make up the internet. These include the cables and routers that connect our devices to the network, the servers that host websites and applications, and the software that controls how data is transmitted and processed.

The technical infrastructures of control are not neutral. They are designed and built by specific actors with specific interests. These actors include governments, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Each of these actors has its own agenda for how the internet should be used and controlled.

For example, governments may use technical infrastructures of control to block access to certain websites or to monitor online activity. Corporations may use technical infrastructures of control to track users' online behavior and to target them with advertising. Non-profit organizations may use technical infrastructures of control to provide educational resources or to promote social change.

The design and implementation of technical infrastructures of control have a profound impact on our ability to access and use the internet. They can determine whether we are able to communicate with each other freely, whether we are able to access information that is critical of the government or corporations, and whether we are able to participate in online activities without fear of surveillance or censorship.

Chapter 2: The Legal Infrastructures of Control

The legal infrastructures of control are the laws and regulations that govern the internet. These laws and regulations determine who is responsible for online content, how data can be collected and used, and what kinds of activities are prohibited online.

The legal infrastructures of control are not neutral. They are written and enforced by specific actors with specific interests. These actors include governments, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Each of these actors has its own agenda for how the internet should be used and controlled.

For example, governments may use legal infrastructures of control to criminalize certain types of online speech or to require internet service providers to retain user data for law enforcement purposes. Corporations may use legal infrastructures of control to protect their intellectual property or to limit competition. Non-profit organizations may use legal infrastructures of control to promote privacy or to protect children from online harm.

The design and implementation of legal infrastructures of control have a profound impact on our ability to access and use the internet. They can determine whether we are able to express ourselves freely online, whether we are able to access information that is critical of the government or corporations, and whether we are able to participate in online activities without fear of legal reprisal.

Chapter 3: The Social Infrastructures of Control

The social infrastructures of control are the norms and expectations that govern how we use the internet. These norms and expectations are shaped by a variety of factors, including our culture, our education, and our personal experiences.

The social infrastructures of control are not neutral. They are shaped by specific actors with specific interests. These actors include governments, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Each of these actors has its own agenda for how the internet should be used and controlled.

For example, governments may use social infrastructures of control to promote patriotism or to discourage dissent. Corporations may use social infrastructures of control to promote their products or to discourage competition. Non-profit organizations may use social infrastructures of control to promote social change or to protect children from online harm.

The design and implementation of social infrastructures of control have a profound impact on our ability to access and use the internet. They can determine whether we feel comfortable expressing ourselves online, whether we are able to access information that is critical of the government or corporations, and whether we are able to participate in online activities without fear of social stigma or ostracism.

The infrastructures of control that shape the global web are complex and ever-changing. They are the product of a variety of actors with competing interests. These actors are constantly trying to shape the internet in their own image, and the outcome of their struggle will determine how we experience and interact with the world online.

It is important to be aware of the infrastructures of control that shape the global web. By understanding how these infrastructures work, we can better understand how the internet is used and controlled, and we can make more informed choices about how we use it ourselves.

The Digital Frontier: Infrastructures of Control on the Global Web (Framing the Global)

by Sangeet Kumar

4 out of 5