Book Review: “Trafficking Data: How China Is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty” by Aynne Kokas

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter and has been extorting users to pay for two-factor authentication, I have been thinking a lot about data privacy. As an older Millennial, I was fortunate to grow up without social media and have been spared from having my most cringeworthy baby photos shared far and wide across these platforms. However, as I watch my friends have kids and share gender-reveal photos, baby pictures, weekend family excursions, and other intimate life moments in between, I can’t help but think about the implications of sharing so much of our lives online.

Now I know what you’re thinking, but my social media pages are set to private, and I only share with friends and family I know in real life. I’m not worried about complete strangers viewing photos—well, at least not right now—but I am concerned about the platforms and companies who have built the online communities to which we belong. At least I was until I picked up “Trafficking Data: How China Is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty” by Aynne Kokas. Now, I am looking at our digital dependence in a whole new way. Kokas explains how the information we provide not just through our social media posts but our scrolling habits are helping China and the United States to construct full-blown data sets of our communities that in turn have created a tug of war over data between the two super powers.

In “Trafficking Data,” the author shares how there is a battle for data between China and the U.S. that extends beyond online gaming, TikTok, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Data is being obtained from our agricultural fields to our grocery shopping habits, and the scariest part is how data privacy is not guaranteed for any of us. In 2016, Russia worked to overthrow our elections, and in 2023, China is working to infiltrate America by building composites of American life. And we, as Americans, are willingly handing over our data for a few hours on TikTok or the convenience of being able to control our appliances from our phone.

Initially when I picked up “Trafficking Data,” I was curious to learn more about data privacy online; by the end of it, I am now keenly aware of the lack of data privacy we have at all. Aynne Kokas’ book is an eye-opener, and as we continue to gravitate toward digital convenience, it’s more timely than ever. The truth is, WWIII will be fought on the digital battlefield, and it’s important that we understand the cost of technological advancement so we can make informed decisions on how we engage in the metaverse.

Check out my Book Corner interview with Aynne Kokas here.

Buy it here.