DailyPost 1568
DIGITAL DICTATORSHIP
The word dictatorship directly has a political connotation. This also primarily in the context of democratic typed processes throwing up leaders, who take over the reins of the govt, dictated by their whims and fancies. The world still remembers the gory memories of the pre Second World War dictatorships in Germany, Italy and Russia. That changed the world and dictatorship became a dirty word for worthwhile reasons. That is not to say that world gave up its fancy for absolute power. Even today we have totalitarian regimes with a modern variant in the Middle East and occasionally in some odd country or the other, depending on the leader; civilian or military and his capability to make it happen.
The camouflage of dictatorship in designer political and social outfits has become the order of the day. White supremacists have their own story. Pure form of dictatorships we might not find today but certainly is has mutated in lots of acceptable variants. But far away from politics and power, slowly, steadily and stealthily another power, technological and intellectual; had been making inroads to gain preeminence in the every arena. He who controls the internet and the digital world controls the real world. Gaining economic power and influence has been only one part of the story, the trajectory it is taking is totally different.
This is what is called the Digital Dictatorship. We will keep running for cover, from WhatsApp to Signal to be cheated or dictated again. Some unknown power decides everything and world has to comply. That is the final word. Unfortunately, it is not just a word, it is translated into action, as and when enabled and no human intervention henceforth. What was happening down the centuries has been one geographical area or a big tract of land. Digital Dictatorship encompasses the whole world. It cannot be thrown off in a coup, it is there to stay. This is the digital bondage we are destined for.
The most valuable asset class is data but this unobtrusive asset worth trillions of dollars has not even declared an asset class in any country. This asset class has the uncanny knack of surreptitiously spreading everywhere, even without you knowing of it and then it plays havoc. It can control even incumbent Presidents, making them look like caged parrots. Leave aside executive actions, the congressional hearing have not able to make any dent in the digital dictatorial journey. They call it as competitive monopoly. What a tragedy, it doesn’t even look like one.
HE WHO CONTROLS AND MONETISES DATA, DICTATES THE WORLD.
Sanjay Sahay