Control through Connectivity: Digital Colonialism, Infrastructure, and Global Power Relations

Digital technologies are increasingly shaping our society and economy. But who controls the underlying infrastructures and what impact does this have on global power relations? While tech companies have been racing for years to see who can connect the next billion people to the internet and win them over as users, China and the EU are also courting the Global South with supposedly donated infrastructure. At the same time, critics warn against infrastructure projects as tools of digital colonialism.

In this panel discussion, our guests explore the phenomenon of digital colonialism and the role of large technology companies and state actors in shaping digital infrastructure in the Global South. They take a critical look at initiatives such as Metas and Google’s undersea cable, China’s Digital Silk Road and the EU’s Global Gateway project.

They will also ask what fairer infrastructure models could look like that focus on transparency and participation rather than dependency and the expansion of power. The event will provide a space for exchange and discussion on ways to achieve a more inclusive digital future.

There will be a digital input by Esther Mwema in English at the beginning, followed by a panel discussion in German. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to network and exchange ideas over drinks.

We will be joined by:

Ingo Dachwitz – journalist and digital expert, co-author of the book “Digitaler Kolonialismus: Wie Tech-Konzerne und Großmächte die Welt unter sich aufteilen”

Quincey Stumptner – expert for intersectional and decolonial digital politics

Esther Mwema – artist and expert on digital injustices (joins digitally, input in English)

Marlene Straub – D64 board member and expert on international digital policy and internet governance