Transformation of big data to big brother: Datafication and dataveillance from the perspective of digital sociology

This study aims to evaluate the increasing impact of big data, considering the potential that data collected about individuals can be used for social, cultural, economic, and political purposes with the development of information and communication technologies and surveillance systems. With this aim, social changes caused by big data and new surveillance practices are examined, especially based on datafication and data surveillance. The research was carried out by conducting expert interviews and in-depth interviews with 16 data scientists (as they are individuals who experience these systems and can predict the consequences they may cause). Through the interviews it is examined with a constructivist perspective and the qualitative analysis method what kind of strategy individuals have developed in terms of ontological security (what kind of coping strategy they develop against reactions, fears and anxieties that arise due to changes) and how these strategies and solution suggestions can become beneficial in society. As a result of the evaluations, when viewed from the eyes of data scientists, it is seen that the definition and content of big data has changed, and this creates a completely new digital surveillance practice. In this context, big data is considered as the basic element of decision-making mechanisms and as a type of capital and classification tool. Big data and new surveillance practices are associated with a variety of problems, such as the right to be forgotten, sanctions for control purposes, data security and manipulation, security breach, rotted data, discrimination, panoptic classification, lack of anonymity, power imbalance or monopolization of power, echo chamber, prejudice in social relations. In the study, new surveillance practices are particularly associated with security, risk, and identification of the other; it is seen that "micro-level surveillance practices" are also applied in the field of social relations and responsibilities. In terms of ontological security, it is seen that data breaches in the participants' own countries raise "doubt about their own security" in them; while examining the contribution of big data and ontological security of these systems for social benefit; it is understood that ontological insecurity becomes more evident with the conceptualization of big data for social harm. It is also seen and explained that there are findings that the participants mostly resort to a pragmatic acceptance (implicit pessimism) strategy in the sense of ontological security/insecurity, but they also have strategies that can be evaluated in the sense of constant optimism, cynical pessimism, and radical participation. In the context of these strategies, solution suggestions are offered in different areas in line with the opinions of data scientists.