We're More Than What They Say We Are: Solidarity for Data Justice

What does it mean if we’re being categorised and labelled, by someone else, without our knowledge or control? In today’s society, we appear in all sorts of databases controlled by others, and these representations of us can have big consequences on our lives. From police databases, to digital welfare systems and biometric data gathered at borders – often we don’t even know data is being gathered, let alone how to change it. 

But that’s not the whole story. Contrary to what Big Tech might want us to believe, we’re not just powerless data points, we’re people with our own hopes, dreams and rights, and together, we have more power than we know. By standing in solidarity with each other, caring about each other, and taking a stand against unfair representations and uses of our data, we actually can make a real difference.

In this talk, I’ll discuss how our lives are impacted by data about who we are, showcase examples from around the world of how people have stood up against unjust uses of their data – and talk about how we can all start to claim our own collective agency.