Title

How surveillance in social media platforms contributes to the death of democracy and how we, as users, become complicit.

Creator

Megaliou, Natalia

Abstract

This paper explores how surveillance on social media platforms contributes to the death of democracy, and how users become complicit in this process. By examining concepts like deliberative democracy, surveillance capitalism, and data colonialism, the study highlights the ways in which targeted data collection can distort political discourse and public opinion. It argues that these platforms foster polarization, reinforce biases, and limit exposure to diverse perspectives, thus, weakening democratic processes. Finally, the paper concludes with a survey analysis that evaluates the social media habits of users, their surveillance awareness, the perceived impact of surveillance on democratic values, and their motives behind sharing private information, providing valuable insight into the role of digital surveillance in undermining democracy.

Keywords

Democracy

Surveillance Capitalism

Data Colonialism

Subject

Surveillance

Type

Oral Presentation

Course

CN 4740 Communication Thesis

Instructor

Kissas, Angelos

Location

Art Center Auditorium

Event

Year 2025 | 9th Annual Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium