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A data revolution for whom?

Vast data collection must be reshaped to suit progressive ends.

Published:
data5.jpg
data5.jpg

Flickr/r2hox. Some rights reserved.

The growing availability of digital data and data technologies has led many civil society groups, governments, and international organisations to talk of a "data revolution". But what kinds of political projects, models of citizenship and forms of action will such a data revolution enable? And whom will it ultimately serve?

Following debates about open government amongst political actors from the White House to Wikileaks, you could be forgiven for thinking that the critical political question around digital data generated by states is *what information is disclosed to whom*.