Utopias in the Digital Age: Uncovering the Sociotechnical Imaginaries of Facial Recognition

Abstract

The concept and practice of surveillance has long existed in our society, yet with the development of technology, it has taken on new forms and capabilities. As a result, surveillance technology has become integrated in our society, influencing norms and shaping imaginaries surrounding it. While many existing studies have thoroughly examined people's experiences with surveillance technologies, there has been little attention paid to the efforts of advocacy groups in challenging and reshaping the mainstream imaginaries regarding surveillance technology. Using narrative analysis, this thesis aims to address this gap and explore the sociotechnical imaginaries surrounding facial recognition technology of four advocacy groups: a) Fight for the Future, b) Big Brother Watch, c) Electronic Frontier Foundation, d) Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. This study uncovers that these groups' shared sociotechnical imaginary aligns closely with modern liberal ideals, highlighting the possibility of separating public and private life, the necessity for not only moderate government intervention, but healthy commercial competitions, as well as public education. In other words, I argue that resisting against a particular technology and its associated power dynamics does not always represent a challenge to the fundamental power structure.