Every day, we hand over personal data to tech companies and government agencies for the convenience of digital services. In exchange, we receive a constant stream of targeted ads, addictive content, and often, misinformation that is both dangerous and misleading. Navigating this landscape to find the truth feels increasingly impossible. Sometimes it’s okay, and other times it’s unclear what is actually going on behind the scenes. So, what if we could reclaim some control?
In her new book, “Cyber Citizens: Saving Democracy with Digital Literacy“, surveillance and privacy expert Heidi Boghosian offers a blueprint for digital empowerment. The book examines how our online presence challenges the foundation of democracy and provides a toolkit for digital self-defense. For tech professionals, it is a compelling, if dense, look at the systems we build, use, and are often trapped by.
The twin crisis: Digital and civic illiteracy
Boghosian argues that America faces a twin crisis: a lack of both digital literacy and civic knowledge. Many of us, even self-proclaimed “digital natives”, are ill-equipped to identify sophisticated disinformation. According to the book’s research, untrustworthy news sources account for a significant portion of online engagement, and a substantial percentage of Americans struggle with complex digital tasks. This vulnerability contributes to what Boghosian calls “truth decay”, where society cannot agree on basic facts, and personal beliefs often override verified information.
Also interesting: What Is the Digital Divide?
A startling decline in civic education compounds this digital vulnerability. The book notes that most Americans would fail a basic citizenship test. This isn’t just about trivia. When citizens do not understand how their government works, they become prime targets for manipulation. Boghosian points to a concerning statistic: about one-third of young adults now support the idea of a strong leader who can bypass elections and legislatures. This, she argues, is a democratic emergency fueled by our collective failure to teach civics and digital skills.
Surveillance capitalism and the rise of digital feudalism
Being transparent, using data, and making changes for the greater good is not necessarily a bad thing, despite some thinking their privacy is priceless. A book like this, however, would clearly not find any acceptance in such a realm. A core theme of Cyber Citizens is its sharp critique of surveillance capitalism. Remember Google’s old motto, “Don’t be evil”? Boghosian charts the evolution of tech giants from idealistic startups into what she terms “digital feudal lords”. These companies no longer sell products. They control vast digital territories, generating immense wealth by harvesting user data.
The book details how platforms like Google and Facebook have built their empires on tracking user behavior. This data is used to create detailed psychological profiles that power manipulative advertising campaigns, influencing everything from purchasing decisions to election outcomes. Boghosian revisits the Cambridge Analytica scandal, highlighting how Facebook’s data was weaponized to suppress voter turnout in specific demographics. It is a sobering reminder that our privacy is not just a personal matter but a political one.
Boghosian also scrutinizes the anti-competitive tactics used by Big Tech to maintain their monopolies. The book mentions a secret Google program that allegedly offered hundreds of millions of dollars to game developers, such as Activision Blizzard, to prevent them from creating their own app stores. These actions, combined with hollow privacy promises, paint a grim picture of corporate power running unchecked.
The tech angles: AI, GDPR, and digital self-defense
For the tech-savvy reader, Cyber Citizens offers several compelling angles. The book examines the dual nature of artificial intelligence. While AI can drive innovation, it also “hallucinates” false information and powers the creation of deepfakes, 96 percent of which are reportedly used for nonconsensual pornography. As these tools become cheaper and more accessible, the potential for misuse grows exponentially.
On a more hopeful note, Boghosian examines the global impact of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The book details how the GDPR compelled tech giants to take privacy seriously, imposing substantial fines for non-compliance. This regulation created the “Brussels Effect”, where companies adopted stricter privacy standards globally to streamline their operations. It proved that meaningful regulation is not only possible but can have a ripple effect far beyond its jurisdiction. The United States, however, still lags, with a patchwork of state-level privacy laws that create compliance headaches and offer inconsistent protection.
The final section of the book serves as a practical guide to “digital hygiene.” Boghosian provides actionable advice that does not require a cybersecurity degree. Recommendations include:
- Use secure passwords based on complete sentences.
- Keeping software updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Fact-checking AI-generated content.
- Using tools like Global Privacy Control and secure messengers like Signal.
- Organizing “Privacy Audit Parties” with family to review device settings.
Having written that down, let’s proceed to the final part.
Summary with pros and cons
Cyber Citizens is a thoroughly researched and often alarming read. Boghosian skillfully connects the decline of civics education, the mechanics of surveillance capitalism, and the growing problem of online extremism. For those feeling overwhelmed by digital threats and disinformation, the book delivers both a diagnosis and concrete strategies for building digital resilience.
Pros:
- Comprehensive research: Packed with data and case studies, it presents a compelling, evidence-based argument.
- Practical guidance: Offers actionable steps for individuals and communities to improve digital security.
- Timely and relevant: Addresses some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of technology and democracy.
Cons:
- Dense content: The depth and breadth may be overwhelming for readers seeking a lighter introduction.
- Familiar ground for experts: Those already steeped in privacy debates might find some arguments familiar.
- Truncated narratives: Some personal stories and examples serve as quick illustrations rather than in-depth case studies.
This book is essential reading for educators, parents, policymakers, and anyone invested in the future of democracy. Technology students and professionals will find it a critical reminder of the ethical and societal dimensions of their work. On the other hand, readers already deeply versed in digital privacy topics or those hoping for a breezy, quick-fix manual may not find as much that’s new.
Before you go: How Physical Security Bolsters Data Protection
Still, Cyber Citizens could serve as a wake-up call for those who seek to learn: digital literacy may now be a cornerstone of modern citizenship, and in a time of rampant manipulation and unchecked corporate power, learning to be an empowered cyber citizen is more crucial than ever.
YouTube: 08.01.25 – Heidi Boghosian – CYBER CITIZENS – Our Digital Rights and Responsibilities
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Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Alexandra Robin.
