Unravelling Resistance: Data Activism Configurations in Latin American Civil Society

Abstract

This work examines the evolution of Latin American Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) resistance practices in the context of datafication and how these relate with the overall notions of symbolic domination denounced by the Latin American School of Communication. Although CSOs in Latin America are still exploring the problems surrounding datafication, signs of vitality are already showing in broader debates around human rights, community development, and media policies. The study identifies the main themes underlying datafication work by Latin American CSOs and assesses how they shape resistance practices and CSOs’ perceptions of asymmetrical power relations. While some patterns can fall into existing conceptualisations surrounding resistance practices and data activism, this paper identifies new conceptual and empirical approaches to face the challenges posed by a datafied society.

Open government, civic tech and digital platforms in Latin America: A governance study of Montevideo's urban app ‘Por Mi Barrio’

“…While digitalization has expanded the agenda for NGOs globally there are different possibilities for these organisations in places such as the United States, or Northern Europe that tend to receive financial support from local and national donors and institutions. This is not the case for Latin American NGOs pursuing this agenda, as they rely mostly on regional and international donors funding (Aguerre & Tarullo, 2021), necessarily linking them to transnational processes. The growing datafication concerns, as well as government transparency, have been a paramount focus for civil society in the region, and in Uruguay specially.…”

“…In parallel, there has been a major rethinking of the digital ecosystem as one that is different and shaped by local idiosyncrasies. The Global South and Latin America have their specificities concerning the challenges of digitization and datafication processes from those emerging in Silicon Valley or the global North (Aguerre & Tarullo, 2021; Milan & Treré, 2019; Ricaurte, 2019). For example, notions of ‘digital universalism’ have been debunked by the experiences of appropriation of ICTs in countries such as Peru (Chan, 2014).…”

“…Our research brings in additional clues to understand the different roles of civil society as agents of digital transformation. Their roles have been varied, with different degrees of involvement as well as resistance against Big Tech in Global South contexts (Aguerre & Tarullo, 2021; Alvarado Garcia & Le Dantec, 2018; Rodima‐Taylor, 2022). Our work has exposed how their knowledge claims and practises, as well as their institutional capacities, can influence public policies concerning digital‐enabled transformation.…”

Hashtivismo desinformativo: el negacionismo de la dictadura argentina en Instagram

“…Aquí sobresalen varios elementos: apología a la violencia y al libre uso de armas, exposición polarizada de los argumentos entre izquierda y derecha, ridiculización de los métodos de lucha feminista y descontextualización de la problemática. La canción que se menciona en la columna izquierda es "El violador eres tú", performance del grupo chileno Las Tesis que se convirtió en una práctica de movilización transnacional (Aguerre & Tarullo, 2021).…”