Data Ownership, Datafication, Cybersecurity
This week, we are looking into topics surrounding data ownership, cybersecurity, and a new term to me, datafication, which is described as the process of turning everyday human activity into data that can be analyzed and monetized. In a recent guest lecture, Dr. Bonnie Stewart from the University of Windsor spoke about how this shift toward data-driven systems is changing the balance of power online. She described this environment as one shaped by “digital corporate predation,” where companies increasingly rely on user data as a primary resource.
For someone studying computer science, it’s easy for me to describe and learn about how databases and their systems work. However, the lecture emphasized that understanding the technology itself is only part of the challenge. Developing digital literacy also means understanding the broader implications of how data is used and it’s importance to society.
Reflection
One analogy that I liked from the lecture was the description of data as new oil. This idea is very relevant to the demand and changes to do with data, and specifically human activity online. Our searches, clicks, and interactions have become a very valuable resource that companies can extract and analyze. This process goes far beyond simple product recommendations or targeted advertising. Every device and platform we interact with creates traces of our behavior. Over time, these traces are show patterns that allow companies to predict and influence decisions. Dr. Stewart noted that when our experiences and perspectives become data points in these systems, it can also create vulnerabilities across our data streams. The same systems that personalize content can also contribute to misinformation or manipulation, and comparing it to a high commodity natural resource such as oil is very relevant to how companies and governments today care so much about it.
Another concept discussed in the lecture comes from Cory Doctorow’s work on platform decline. Dr. Stewart describes how digital platforms can gradually degrade after capturing a large user base. Early in their growth, many platforms often focus on attracting users by providing useful services. However, once a platform becomes widely adopted and difficult to leave, the incentives shift toward maximizing their profits. This can mean more funding towards advertising and algorithmic systems that prioritize engagement or revenue over reliability, which can hinder a company’s branding and image. We can see examples of this trend in tools that many people use daily. I have noticed that search engines like Google increasingly contain AI generated content and often refers you to the most popular or visited site instead of allowing you to search on your own, which can make it harder to locate accurate or trustworthy information.
Lastly, one of the major talking points in the discussion was the difference between skills and literacy. I reflect back on this topic because as a student, I spend a lot of time developing technical skills such as programming, understanding professional software development, and solving complex solutions to problems. There is more to just developing ones technical skills and competencies, and digital literacy is an important competency moving forward for those who are working and learning in this new age of data and technology.
As institutions and governments begin making decisions about data and technology, such as universities reconsidering storage policies or governments regulating social media platforms like, it becomes increasingly important for students to understand how these systems affect today’s society. This includes recognizing who benefits from data collection and how digital infrastructures shape everyday life.
References:
Week 9: Data ownership, datafication & cybersecurity. EDCI 136 – Digital Literacy. University of Victoria. https://edtechuvic.ca/edci136/2025/03/08/week-9-data-ownership-datafication-cybersecurity/
Bonnie Stewart. EDCI 136 – Digital Literacy. University of Victoria. https://edtechuvic.ca/edci136/2025/03/08/bonnie-stewart/