The Problem of Privacy in Capitalism and the Alternative Social Networking Site Diaspora*

Abstract

Abstract:In this paper, l examine the alternative social networking site Diaspora* from a Marxist standpoint. The investigation focuses on privacy, and contributes to a better understanding of this issue within the context of capitalism in general. First, I describe Diaspora*'s way of production by pointing out its alternative character as part of the free software and copyleft movement. Second, dominant theories of privacy related to individual control, exclusion, and property are introduced. Third, the problem of privacy in capitalism is described wherein dominant concepts of privacy will be contextualised on behalf of a critical political economy analysis that refers to the Marxian concept of ideology critique, Marx's differentiation between a societal sphere of production and a societal sphere of circulation, and his analysis of capitalist fetishisms. Fourth, taking into account the problem of privacy in capitalism, the alternative potential of Diaspora* is evaluated. Finally, a brief outline of a Marxist theory of privacy is proposed.

What Is Digital Labour? What Is Digital Work? What’s their Difference? And Why Do These Questions Matter for Understanding Social Media?

“…Attempts at establishing non-commercial alternatives to Facebook exist. Examples are the social networking sites Diaspora* (Sevignani 2012), Occupii and N-1. Diaspora* describes itself as "the community-run, distributed social-network" 11 .…”

Die unsicheren Kanäle

“…All diesen Ansätzen ist gemein, dass sie, um Privatheit einfordern zu können, Daten als Eigentum bestimmen. Für eine Kritik dieses Konzepts siehe exemplarischOchs (2015) undSevignani (2012).…”