The neoliberal city and data sovereignty: mapping the scene of datafication devices in São Paulo

Abstract This article aims to relate the development of São Paulo structured on economic liberalism and, later, on neoliberalism, with the current processes of data extraction through digital platforms and big tech companies based on datafication. We argue that data sovereignty is an indispensable element in the possibility that citizens and public administration have control over personal data generated from city life and can determine what the city may become, considering the idea of right to the city (Harvey, 2014). Our goal is to carry out an exploratory mapping of São Paulo's position in this scene. To this goal, a survey was made of the urban datafication devices in the city operated by the City Hall, but also by the private enterprises. This mapping resulted in 35 devices, 30 of which have a direct influence on processes of mobility, consumption, and work. We concluded that São Paulo is part of the personal data market and that such processes interfere in several elements of urban life, but that sovereignty is not yet an element considered in the decision-making process for the adoption of such devices.

摘要 本文旨在将以经济自由主义及后续新自由主义为框架构建的圣保罗发展历程，与当前依托数据化（datafication）、通过数字平台与大型科技公司开展的数据提取进程相关联。本文主张，数据主权（data sovereignty）是市民与公共行政部门得以掌控城市生活中产生的个人数据、并基于城市权利（right to the city，Harvey, 2014）理念确定城市未来走向的必要前提。本研究旨在对圣保罗在这一领域的定位开展探索性图谱绘制。为此，我们针对圣保罗市内由市政厅及私营企业运营的城市数据化装置开展了调研。本次调研共梳理出35类数据化装置，其中30类直接对城市出行、消费与就业流程产生影响。研究结论表明，圣保罗已融入个人数据市场，此类数据化进程对城市生活的多个维度造成干预，但在采纳该类装置的决策流程中，数据主权尚未被纳入考量要素。