Surveillance Capitalism is a term that describes a new economic system where personal data is collected, analyzed, and used by companies to predict and influence consumer behavior. This data often comes from online activities, such as social media interactions and browsing habits, allowing businesses to create targeted advertisements and services.
The concept was popularized by Shoshana Zuboff, who argues that this practice raises ethical concerns about privacy and autonomy. As companies like Google and Facebook gather vast amounts of information, individuals may unknowingly trade their personal data for free services, leading to a power imbalance between consumers and corporations.