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Assembling Publics: Microsoft, Cybersecurity, and Public‐Private Relations
[journal article]
Abstract In this article, we advance the literature on publics in international politics by exploring the nexus between publicness and big tech companies. This nexus finds a significant expression in the increasing impact of big tech companies to mediate disputes over societal problems, deliver social goods ... view more
In this article, we advance the literature on publics in international politics by exploring the nexus between publicness and big tech companies. This nexus finds a significant expression in the increasing impact of big tech companies to mediate disputes over societal problems, deliver social goods and rearticulate public-private relationships. We develop an analytical framework by combining recent scholarship on assemblage theory and publics, allowing us to understand publicness as enacted in practices which revolve around issues and rearticulate relations of authority and legitimacy. To demonstrate the value of the framework, we show how Microsoft is involved in assembling publicness around cybersecurity. Microsoft does so by problematising and countering state-led cybersecurity activities, questioning the state as a protector of its citizens and proposing governance measures to establish the tech sector as authoritative, and legitimate "first responders." With this rearticulating of public-private relations, we see the emergence of a political subject for whom security is not solely the right of a citizen secured by the state but also a customer service provided as per a service agreement. The study hence offers important insights into the connection between publicness and cybersecurity, state and big tech relations, and the formation of authority and legitimacy in international politics.... view less
Keywords
international politics; global governance; enterprise; technology; data security; security; the public; electronic government
Classification
Peace and Conflict Research, International Conflicts, Security Policy
Political System, Constitution, Government
Free Keywords
Microsoft; assemblage; big tech; citizen‐user; cybersecurity
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 157-167
Journal
Politics and Governance, 11 (2023) 3
Issue topic
Publics in Global Politics
ISSN
2183-2463
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed