Precarious Migrants in a Sharing Economy| Digital Solidarity and Ethical Tech for Refugees: Why We Need to Care More and Code Less

Authors

  • Sara Marino London College of Communication, University of the Arts London

Keywords:

refugee crisis, digital solidarity, ethical technology, mindful filtering, care

Abstract

Since 2015, the so-called refugee crisis has prompted an explosion of mobile applications and other initiatives aimed at helping refugees navigate the spaces of Fortress Europe, connect with useful resources, access opportunities, and integrate into the destination country. Guided by faith in the power of technologies to initiate change, different fringes of society—humanitarian organizations, private entrepreneurs, tech corporations, volunteers, and grassroots organizations—have increasingly relied on digital solutions to circulate solidarity across borders. This article reflects on the tensions that characterize cross-border digital solidarity by looking at how we can reconcile the ethics of “doing social good” with the more discriminatory practices of data collection that affect the refugee body. The article argues that attention needs to be paid to the implementation of mindful filtering practices as an alternative framework for more ethical uses of technology that center around care as a guiding principle and value.  

Author Biography

Sara Marino, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London

Sara Marino is Senior Lecturer in Communications and Media at London College of Communication, University of the Arts. She is the author of “Mediating the Refugee Crisis. Digital Solidarity, Humanitarian Technologies and Border Regimes” (Palgrave, 2020), editor of “Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Trajectories on Pluralism, Inclusion and Citizenship” (Oxford Interdisciplinary Press 2014) and co-editor with Simon Dawes of “Fortress Europe: Media, Migration and Borders” (Networking Knowledge Journal, 2016). Her main research focuses on the social, cultural, and political implications of everyday practices of connectivity among European migrants, and how these shape diasporic identity and community formation. Another area of interest is the role of “tech-for-good” platforms in a context of humanitarian response and with specific reference to the refugee crisis. In her book she explores the uses of digital technologies such as mobile phones, social media and mobile applications by refugees and other actors including humanitarian organizations, tech and social entrepreneurs.

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Published

2022-11-21

Issue

Vol. 16 (2022)

Section

Special Sections

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