Caribbean countries and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are especially vulnerable to digital colonialism. In this article, to commemorate Emancipation Day, we briefly explain what digital colonialism is and how Caribbean countries can limit its impact.
Without a doubt, the Caribbean region has had a sordid past. As an area that experienced slavery––unspeakable oppression for centuries for the benefit of colonial rulers, indelible scars that continue to shape our societies.
Although the slave trade formally ended in the English-speaking Caribbean in 1834, over 190 years ago, the world has been witnessing the emergence of other big tech companies and other powerful actors, along with behaviour generally associated with colonialism in the digital space. On this Emancipation Day, which is celebrated on 1 August to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean colonies, we explore digital colonialism and suggest four ways in which Caribbean and other developing countries can lessen its impact on their societies.
What is digital colonialism?
Mirroring traditional colonialism, digital colonialism is said to occur when powerful entities seek to exploit developing countries and reinforce existing power imbalances by unduly controlling data, infrastructure and online services. Historically, colonialism or the oppression and suppression of people remains an uncomfortable truth globally, think Apartheid, the Holocaust and the Caribbean Slave Trade as examples, commonalities exist with today’s digital colonialism as Table 1 below highlights.
This is not our first rodeo: Four recommendations
As the descendants of slaves and the societies that are dealing with the consequences of our colonial history, Caribbean countries ought to be especially vigilant about instances when digital colonialism might be evident. Though we are developing countries and tend to be more vulnerable and not as powerful as countries in the Global North, it is vital that we protect our agency and sovereignty.
First, Caribbean countries could strengthen regional linkages to create a more unified bloc of countries. This recommendation is not new, but is becoming more critical in today’s heightened geopolitical environment and cognisant of the powerful companies that are at the core of digital colonialism being experienced. A regional posture in which Caribbean countries pool their resources and infrastructure to establish regional data centres, shared cloud services, and Caribbean digital ID systems, for example, would foster greater digital sovereignty.
Second, countries ought to enact and enforce strong data protection and digital rights laws. These laws should be comprehensive and modelled on global best practices, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, adapted to local realities. Additionally, countries can mandate data localisation for sensitive public data, such as that related to health, education, and national security. Public education on data privacy and digital exploitation would also be key to not only increasing the digital literacy of the populace but also ensuring they appreciate their rights, the implications of their actions and consequently can make more informed decisions.
Third, Caribbean countries ought to negotiate smart and fair digital trade deals. These arrangements should avoid “digital lock-in” and include provisions for technology transfer and local content requirements in digital services contracts with foreign firms. Once again, countries’ negotiating position would be bolstered considerably if they act as a regional bloc, emphasising the importance of a regional approach to this and other similar “David and Goliath” situations.
Finally, it is recommended that countries become more involved in global digital governance. Caribbean participation in internet governance is uneven at best, with most not engaging consistently in the global discussions happening at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), to name just a few. However, it is vital that developing countries take their seats at the table and advocate for more equitable internet policies that recognise the vulnerabilities and needs of small island and other developing states. Further, being present in those global spaces can facilitate increased collaborations with other Global South countries towards mutually beneficial goals.
Parting thoughts
Although Caribbean slavery was a violent, inhumane system of forced labour and racial oppression, digital colonialism is a modern, subtle form of exploitation rooted in data capitalism and technological dependency. Both systems involve control, profit from the many for the benefit of the few, and long-lasting societal consequences. For the Caribbean countries and other SIDS, resisting digital colonialism means more than just regulation—it’s about building self-sufficiency, regional collaboration, and a digital future rooted in local culture, values, and interests.
Image credit: orythys (Pixabay)
