GeoTechE: Introduction to Geotechnology Ethics

Welcome to this teaser module, entitled Critical Data Studies and Data Justice. You will have the chance to study two units from this module: Individual Modes of Engagement, and Collective Modes of Engagement.

In these units, you will explore critical issues surrounding power dynamics and ethical considerations in the realm of geographic data and consumer technologies that shape our daily lives.

The first unit begins by outlining some key ethical concerns, such as privacy and security - both from a legal and ethical standpoint, as well as agency and equity – taking into account how the effects of data are unevenly distributed across society.

As you progress, you will gain insights into the valuation and utilization of user geographic data in the marketplace, unravel the workings of targeted advertising, and understand the pivotal role users play as data producers.

The unit then explores several individual modes of engagement with data production and collection, ranging from 'acceptance' to 'active resistance', 'making present', and 'escape'.

The second unit will explore collective modes of engagement, including data regulation and the concept of 'drifting' —a semi-intentional exploration of space to identify places for solidarity or change.

Discover the power of detournement as a tool for repurposing data for political and cultural ends, exploring examples from art to counter-mapping. Uncover the concept of data strikes, where coordinated withholding of user data impacts company profits to drive positive change, exemplified by the #DeleteUber movement.

Throughout the course, learners will be invited to reflect on the context framing these concerns, and how factors of privilege and status affects the feasibility of a particular mode of engagement.

By the end, you will emerge equipped with a nuanced understanding of the power dynamics and ethical considerations surrounding these everyday technologies, ready to critically engage with and influence the evolving landscape in which they're embedded.

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Is this course for you?

Target Audience
Anyone who:
- Is interested in ethics issues and the dynamics of power involved with everyday geographic technologies
- Is involved in the development of everyday geographic technologies
- Uses a smartphone and wants to know how they can become more engaged and aware of the data they’re producing
- Is giving classes on technology ethics or critical theory and wants to use up-to-date case study materials
- Students or professionals involved in the geospatial sciences
Knowledge prerequisites
None
Any other prerequisites
Basic computer access, ability to stream/watch online lectures.

Course content

Unit 1: Modes of Individual Engagement

Lecture 1
An introduction to some of the issues of power and ethics involving data and consumer technologies in everyday life, including:
- Privacy – legally and ethically
- Security – who has data access?
- Agency – Who exerts control over their data?
- Equity – effects of data are not felt equally across all of society
Lecture 2
- How user geographic data is valued and used in the marketplace
- How targeted advertising works
- The role of a user as a data producer
Lecture 3
The first two individual modes of engagement:
- Acceptance: agreeing to End User License Agreements, which shape what is legally permissible for the company. The asymmetrical power relation between the user and the provider of the service.
- Active resistance: Examples of how users can impede or assert greater control over the production or extraction of their personal data.
Lecture 4
The second two modes of engagement:
- Making present: Examples of responses which attempt to make mechanisms of data production, extraction and analysis legible and understandable e.g physical infrastructure.
- Escape: Examples of steps that elude data creation and extraction and how they are dependent on ones' privilege and position in society.

Unit 2: Modes of Collective Engagement

Lecture 1
An introduction to collective modes of engagement with data production and extraction.
The first mode of engagement:
- Data regulation: the laws seeking to protect personal geodata. But this is not enough to be ethical. There is also a need for cultural change.
Lecture 2
- Drifting: being aware of and learning about the structure and possibilities of a space while moving through it in a semi-intentional, exploratory manner, with the intention of identifying material frameworks and promising sites for solidarity or change.
Some methods for doing a data drift, and some guiding questions when looking at location history.
Examples of some of the absurd assumptions that come from your location history .
Lecture 3
- The meaning of detournement: modifying or disassembling a piece of art or media for revolutionary purposes
- Examples of art.
- A version of detournement that extends beyond art to data, repurposing data for political ends and culturally savvy ways
- Uses of detournements, including counter-maps
- Example of Iranian smartphone app; counter-cartographies collective
- Some of the ethical considerations: privacy
Lecture 4
Data strikes: an adapted version of a traditional workers strike, which is denying labour to extract concession from management. Data strikes involving coordinating withholding user data to impact company profits to force them to make changes.
Difference between strike and boycott.
Effects of withholding data.
Example of a data strike: #DeleteUber
Challenges to a data strikes:
- Costs to strikers
- Coordination and organization
Lecture 5
- Conclusions
- Summary of the unit

Learning outcomes

Identify the power relations in the context of everyday geodata technology use
Recognise ethics concerns that derive from those power relations
Reflect on the material and social context in which certain technologies are used
Generate alternative modes of engagement to suit a specific context
Assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a particular mode of engagement

Questions?

For questions, please email: info@geoversity.io

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GeoTechE: Introduction to Geotechnology Ethics

Is this course for you?

Target Audience

Knowledge prerequisites

Any other prerequisites

Course content

Lecture 1

Lecture 2

Lecture 3

Lecture 4

Lecture 1

Lecture 2

Lecture 3

Lecture 4

Lecture 5

Learning outcomes

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