Augusta University Research Presentation: Addressing Data Vulnerabilities: Surveillance Capitalism as an Amplifier for Information Warfare

Description

Research in security studies frequently discusses the non-kinetic operation of information warfare and the academic concept of surveillance capitalism as largely separate or only generally linked when analyzing the current state of the global cyber domain and international relations. While this discourse is helpful in identifying how information warfare in various forms and surveillance capitalism structures affect the digital domain in the modern era, separating these two concepts may result in academic and policy discussions overlooking significant vulnerabilities in the battle against information warfare by the US. US data privacy laws and the population's overall ignorance of these data policies create a vulnerability that enables adversaries to use this precise, massive data for influence and strategic operations. As surveillance capitalism continues to be highly prevalent in the digital domain, the ability for adversaries to create effective information warfare campaigns increases. For example, Tiktok collects vast personal data in the US which can facilitate efforts by the Chinese Communist party to individualize sophisticated influence campaigns against Americans.

This presentation outlines a new conceptual framework that clarifies how the data exploited by surveillance capitalism can enhance the operational effectiveness of information warfare. Understanding the convergence of surveillance capitalism and information warfare through this new framework can enhance our ability to defend against such campaigns, create counter operations strategies, and produce more protective policies. 

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Handouts

• Addressing Data Vulnerabilities