“The Age of Surveillance Capitalism,” Harvard professor Shoshana Zuboff presents a deeply researched, provocative look at how tech giants like Google and Facebook have created a new form of capitalism built on harvesting user data. Zuboff explains how companies go beyond simply collecting information—they predict, shape, and manipulate human behavior for profit. Her thesis positions users not as customers, but as raw material for data extraction. She warns that without oversight, these business models threaten not only personal privacy but also democratic norms.
The book spans topics like algorithmic governance, predictive analytics, digital consent, and the economic value of behavioral data. Zuboff argues that surveillance capitalism operates in a legal vacuum and advocates for stronger user rights, public regulation, and ethical design. For policymakers, researchers, and civil society, the book provides foundational insights into how digital privacy must be reframed in the age of invisible surveillance. It challenges us to reclaim digital spaces for people—not just platforms.
