Digital surveillance governance: understanding developments in the use of personal data in public sector reform

Abstract

Advanced digital surveillance technologies, such as predictive data analytics and artificial intelligence relying on big (personal) data, are reshaping state organization and radically changing the state-citizen relationship. This requires a re-examination of some core elements of the state. Accordingly, this article introduces the perspective of Digital Surveillance Governance (DSG) and discusses the core elements that comprise DSG: 1) control, 2) capture, 3) transparency, and 4) data cooperation. DSG is contrasted with existing governance notions, and it is argued that digital government research may benefit from applying a DSG perspective to better understand the digital changes now observed in the state.