Azadeh Akbari
@azadehakbari.bsky.social
Prof. Critical Data & Surveillance Studies @ Goethe University Frankfurt / digital authoritarianism, surveillance, smart cities/
Co-Director @Survstudiesnet.bsky.social /
Founder @surveillancemw.bsky.social
*personal account*
Co-Director @Survstudiesnet.bsky.social /
Founder @surveillancemw.bsky.social
*personal account*
Pinned
Azadeh Akbari
@azadehakbari.bsky.social
· Sep 12
Read my latest commentary on Big Tech Authoritarianism, which discusses how Big Tech actively constructs authoritarian spaces – both within their organisational structures and across broader socio-political contexts.
doi.org/10.1177/2976...
doi.org/10.1177/2976...
My feed these days:
"We reject the use of generative artificial intelligence for reflexive qualitative research" paper
next to "Open Conference of AI Agents for Qualitative Research 2026"
-The 1st open conference where AI serves as both primary authors and reviewers of research papers-
🤨
"We reject the use of generative artificial intelligence for reflexive qualitative research" paper
next to "Open Conference of AI Agents for Qualitative Research 2026"
-The 1st open conference where AI serves as both primary authors and reviewers of research papers-
🤨
<span>We reject the use of generative artificial intelligence for reflexive qualitative research</span>
We write as 416 experienced qualitative researchers from 38 countries, to reject the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) applications for Big Q Qu
papers.ssrn.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM
My feed these days:
"We reject the use of generative artificial intelligence for reflexive qualitative research" paper
next to "Open Conference of AI Agents for Qualitative Research 2026"
-The 1st open conference where AI serves as both primary authors and reviewers of research papers-
🤨
"We reject the use of generative artificial intelligence for reflexive qualitative research" paper
next to "Open Conference of AI Agents for Qualitative Research 2026"
-The 1st open conference where AI serves as both primary authors and reviewers of research papers-
🤨
Academics are capable of asking some of the dumbest most insensitive questions, a lay person can never dream of.
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Academics are capable of asking some of the dumbest most insensitive questions, a lay person can never dream of.
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
Call for Abstracts / Panels
PLANETARY SURVEILLANCE
#SSN2026 – the 11th Biennial Surveillance Studies Network Conference
9-12 June 2026
Université Catholique de Lille, France
Details: surveillance-studies.net/conference/
Submissions (open soon): ssn2026.sciencesconf.org
PLANETARY SURVEILLANCE
#SSN2026 – the 11th Biennial Surveillance Studies Network Conference
9-12 June 2026
Université Catholique de Lille, France
Details: surveillance-studies.net/conference/
Submissions (open soon): ssn2026.sciencesconf.org
Conference – Surveillance Studies Network
surveillance-studies.net
October 28, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Call for Abstracts / Panels
PLANETARY SURVEILLANCE
#SSN2026 – the 11th Biennial Surveillance Studies Network Conference
9-12 June 2026
Université Catholique de Lille, France
Details: surveillance-studies.net/conference/
Submissions (open soon): ssn2026.sciencesconf.org
PLANETARY SURVEILLANCE
#SSN2026 – the 11th Biennial Surveillance Studies Network Conference
9-12 June 2026
Université Catholique de Lille, France
Details: surveillance-studies.net/conference/
Submissions (open soon): ssn2026.sciencesconf.org
Come work with me at the wonderful Center for Critical Computational Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt!
You will define your own PhD project within the field of critical data and surveillance studies, with a focus on countries of the Majority World.
azadeh-akbari.com/come-work-wi...
You will define your own PhD project within the field of critical data and surveillance studies, with a focus on countries of the Majority World.
azadeh-akbari.com/come-work-wi...
Come work with me: PhD Position
In the Working group Critical Data & Surveillance Studies at the Center for Critical Computational Studies (C³S) at Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, which focuses on geographical, political, and/o...
azadeh-akbari.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Come work with me at the wonderful Center for Critical Computational Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt!
You will define your own PhD project within the field of critical data and surveillance studies, with a focus on countries of the Majority World.
azadeh-akbari.com/come-work-wi...
You will define your own PhD project within the field of critical data and surveillance studies, with a focus on countries of the Majority World.
azadeh-akbari.com/come-work-wi...
I was just reading a @theguardian.com column on fashion trends and “core”- and came across dark academia trend! 😳 who would have thought miserable looks can be fashionable?
onpointfresh.com/dark-academi...
onpointfresh.com/dark-academi...
The Dark Academia Aesthetic – Outfits, Clothing and Brands - OnPointFresh
The Dark Academia Aesthetic is a mysterious, alluring style that has been around for centuries, but has recently been popularized by mass media. Its name may
onpointfresh.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:52 AM
I was just reading a @theguardian.com column on fashion trends and “core”- and came across dark academia trend! 😳 who would have thought miserable looks can be fashionable?
onpointfresh.com/dark-academi...
onpointfresh.com/dark-academi...
On a Sunday note: here is my ultimate central Ottawa Foodie Guide! As an EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie global fellow at the UOttawa, I spent a lot of time throughout 2024&5 in this city. This guide aims to liberate you from the shackles of Tim Horton & other chains with sad food.
The ultimate central Ottawa Foodie Guide
My EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie global fellowship was hosted by the University of Ottawa, and I spent a lot of time throughout 2024 and 2025 in this city. My driver’s license was stolen one day before my...
azadeh-akbari.com
September 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
On a Sunday note: here is my ultimate central Ottawa Foodie Guide! As an EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie global fellow at the UOttawa, I spent a lot of time throughout 2024&5 in this city. This guide aims to liberate you from the shackles of Tim Horton & other chains with sad food.
These are important reports + the news about China piloting village surveillance in Solomon Islands; China is exporting comprehensive surveillance packages now with marketing slogans of stability and security. They had done this before with all 'safe' city programs.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
September 12, 2025 at 8:04 PM
These are important reports + the news about China piloting village surveillance in Solomon Islands; China is exporting comprehensive surveillance packages now with marketing slogans of stability and security. They had done this before with all 'safe' city programs.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Read my latest commentary on Big Tech Authoritarianism, which discusses how Big Tech actively constructs authoritarian spaces – both within their organisational structures and across broader socio-political contexts.
doi.org/10.1177/2976...
doi.org/10.1177/2976...
September 12, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Read my latest commentary on Big Tech Authoritarianism, which discusses how Big Tech actively constructs authoritarian spaces – both within their organisational structures and across broader socio-political contexts.
doi.org/10.1177/2976...
doi.org/10.1177/2976...
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
📣Surveillance in the Majority world Network's newsletter is out!
Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter | July 2025
We share research/stories/podcasts that caught our attention.
surveillance-majority-world.net
July 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
📣Surveillance in the Majority world Network's newsletter is out!
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
📣 Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter for June 2025 is out!
Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter | June 2025
We share research/stories/podcasts that caught our attention.
surveillance-majority-world.net
June 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
📣 Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter for June 2025 is out!
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
First speaker is @azadehakbari.bsky.social discussing Authoritarian Smart Cities focusing on the politics of smart cities via digital development dilemma and authoritarianism. Tech is evolving but securitisation continues & we must consider discourse, practices, infrastructures
#DGRGSymposium2025
#DGRGSymposium2025
June 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
First speaker is @azadehakbari.bsky.social discussing Authoritarian Smart Cities focusing on the politics of smart cities via digital development dilemma and authoritarianism. Tech is evolving but securitisation continues & we must consider discourse, practices, infrastructures
#DGRGSymposium2025
#DGRGSymposium2025
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
Surveillance in the Majority World's May Newsletter is out! featuring:
- Our attendance report of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2025, Lusaka, Zambia! hashtag#DRIF25
- Altman's Worldcoin Ordered to Delete Biometric Data in Kenya Over Privacy Breach
- Our attendance report of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2025, Lusaka, Zambia! hashtag#DRIF25
- Altman's Worldcoin Ordered to Delete Biometric Data in Kenya Over Privacy Breach
Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter | May 2025
We share research/stories/podcasts that caught our attention.
surveillance-majority-world.net
May 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Surveillance in the Majority World's May Newsletter is out! featuring:
- Our attendance report of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2025, Lusaka, Zambia! hashtag#DRIF25
- Altman's Worldcoin Ordered to Delete Biometric Data in Kenya Over Privacy Breach
- Our attendance report of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2025, Lusaka, Zambia! hashtag#DRIF25
- Altman's Worldcoin Ordered to Delete Biometric Data in Kenya Over Privacy Breach
High-profile tech and investment executives, including Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and others, joined Trump in his Middle East trip.
restofworld.org/2025/trump-m...
restofworld.org/2025/trump-m...
How Trump turned the Gulf’s oil kingdoms into silicon superpowers in his four-day trip
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE have pledged trillions of dollars in return for access to cutting-edge chips for AI development.
restofworld.org
May 15, 2025 at 11:56 PM
High-profile tech and investment executives, including Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and others, joined Trump in his Middle East trip.
restofworld.org/2025/trump-m...
restofworld.org/2025/trump-m...
Already excited about the Surveillance Studies conference next year. The team in Lille are the most hospitable and kind group of people! Join us for #SSN2026
We are excited to announce the 11th Biennial #Surveillance Studies Network Conference happening 9th-12th June 2026, in Lille, France. It includes a #PhD Colloquium.
#SSN2026 is hosted by @univcatholille.bsky.social ETHICS & ISTC.
Look out for more info soon...
And get those abstracts ready!
#SSN2026 is hosted by @univcatholille.bsky.social ETHICS & ISTC.
Look out for more info soon...
And get those abstracts ready!
May 13, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Already excited about the Surveillance Studies conference next year. The team in Lille are the most hospitable and kind group of people! Join us for #SSN2026
I’m attending Digital Rights & Inclusion Forum in Zambia and these two just decided to attend, too! Best part was that I was the only dumb tourist taking photos; everyone else was very chill about zebras on the lawn 🤯
April 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I’m attending Digital Rights & Inclusion Forum in Zambia and these two just decided to attend, too! Best part was that I was the only dumb tourist taking photos; everyone else was very chill about zebras on the lawn 🤯
Finally!
The days of Google Docs are ending; we enter the age of Docs, made by France's Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs and Germany's Center for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration.
We need more governments to collaborate on public software projects to achieve digital sovereignty.
We need more governments to collaborate on public software projects to achieve digital sovereignty.
France and Germany unveil Docs, a homegrown alternative to Google Docs
The Trump administration has set out to drastically reshape the relationship between the US and Europe. In response, Brussels is scrambling to adapt to this new reality,...
www.techspot.com
April 24, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Finally!
Every single country has a trade deficit because of all US America companies who got rich on our stolen data.
"If Data Is Accounted For, the #USA Has a Trade Surplus with #Canada"
New opinion from me for Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
#assetization #data #trade #tariff #tradewar #Trump #bigtech
www.cigionline.org/articles/if-...
New opinion from me for Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
#assetization #data #trade #tariff #tradewar #Trump #bigtech
www.cigionline.org/articles/if-...
If Data Is Accounted For, the United States Has a Trade Surplus with Canada
Corporations such as Alphabet, Meta and Amazon have been extracting billions of dollars’ worth of data assets from Canada for years.
www.cigionline.org
April 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Every single country has a trade deficit because of all US America companies who got rich on our stolen data.
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
📣Our April Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter is out!
In this issue, you will read about:
- Morocco’s Surveillance Infrastructure Expands Ahead of Sports Mega-Events
- Indian Income Tax Bill 2025: Expanding Digital Search & Seizure Powers
In this issue, you will read about:
- Morocco’s Surveillance Infrastructure Expands Ahead of Sports Mega-Events
- Indian Income Tax Bill 2025: Expanding Digital Search & Seizure Powers
Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter | Apr 2025
We share research/stories/podcasts that caught our attention.
surveillance-majority-world.net
April 21, 2025 at 8:42 AM
📣Our April Surveillance in the Majority World Newsletter is out!
In this issue, you will read about:
- Morocco’s Surveillance Infrastructure Expands Ahead of Sports Mega-Events
- Indian Income Tax Bill 2025: Expanding Digital Search & Seizure Powers
In this issue, you will read about:
- Morocco’s Surveillance Infrastructure Expands Ahead of Sports Mega-Events
- Indian Income Tax Bill 2025: Expanding Digital Search & Seizure Powers
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
Actually, they did! Proudly: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/a...
April 17, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Actually, they did! Proudly: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/a...
I had to laugh at “Levitsky probably would’ve spent his career in relative obscurity, writing academic tomes about political parties in Argentina”. He is quite well-known in authoritarian studies & obviously he couldn’t remain silent. Americans still think authoritarianism only happens to ‘others’
This professor studies dictatorships. He helped convince Harvard to stand up to Trump
This professor studies dictatorships. He helped convince Harvard to stand up to Trump
Harvard professor Steve Levitsky has spent decades studying democracies and how they fail. He's now raising alarm bells over what he sees as a slide toward autocracy under President Trump.
www.latimes.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:01 AM
I had to laugh at “Levitsky probably would’ve spent his career in relative obscurity, writing academic tomes about political parties in Argentina”. He is quite well-known in authoritarian studies & obviously he couldn’t remain silent. Americans still think authoritarianism only happens to ‘others’
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
NEW: In the latest episode of the YouTube series I host, @lhn.bsky.social joins me to get into the nitty gritty of surveillance against protesters and steps you can take to protect yourself: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL34...
How Governments Spy On Protestors—And How To Avoid It | Incognito Mode | WIRED
YouTube video by WIRED
www.youtube.com
April 16, 2025 at 4:37 PM
NEW: In the latest episode of the YouTube series I host, @lhn.bsky.social joins me to get into the nitty gritty of surveillance against protesters and steps you can take to protect yourself: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL34...
I leave this here to remind us we’re humans.
My parents holding hands after their assisted deaths: Martin Roemers’ most personal photograph
‘Their lives were getting harder, even with help. They did not want to go to a nursing home and neither wanted to live without the other. So they left this life together’
www.theguardian.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I leave this here to remind us we’re humans.
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
The Israeli entrepreneur Shalev Hulio gained notoriety for designing Pegasus, the spyware used by governments to hack journalists and dissidents. Today, he is selling a new AI cyber security tool to European states and corporations. His secret asset? Austria’s former leader Sebastian Kurz. [Thread]
April 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Israeli entrepreneur Shalev Hulio gained notoriety for designing Pegasus, the spyware used by governments to hack journalists and dissidents. Today, he is selling a new AI cyber security tool to European states and corporations. His secret asset? Austria’s former leader Sebastian Kurz. [Thread]
Reposted by Azadeh Akbari
«Die Tech-Investoren träumen davon, auf Grönland eine neue, westliche Zivilisation aufzubauen. Ihre Fantasien wirken wie aus einer neurechten Science-Fiction-Serie oder wie die Szenerie eines KI-Computerspiels.» @benhindrichs.bsky.social über die KI-generierten Bildwelten der Network-State-Bewegung
Was die Tech-Milliardäre mit Grönland wirklich vorhaben
Eine Bewegung aus dem Silicon Valley will auf Grönland einen faschistischen Krypto-Staat bauen. Ja, sie meinen das ernst. Und ihre Verbindungen reichen bis ins Weiße Haus.
krautreporter.de
April 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
«Die Tech-Investoren träumen davon, auf Grönland eine neue, westliche Zivilisation aufzubauen. Ihre Fantasien wirken wie aus einer neurechten Science-Fiction-Serie oder wie die Szenerie eines KI-Computerspiels.» @benhindrichs.bsky.social über die KI-generierten Bildwelten der Network-State-Bewegung
Tech for tyrants: Geo Group, the largest private prison operator in the US has built a lucrative side business of digital tools, including ankle monitors & tracking apps, to surveil immigrants on behalf of the federal gov & their tech is being used by ICE for deportations. Who would have thought?
How Geo Group’s Surveillance Tech Is Aiding Trump’s Immigration Agenda
Geo Group, a private prison firm that makes digital tools to track immigrants, becomes one of the Trump administration’s big business winners as its tech is increasingly used in deportations.
www.nytimes.com
April 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Tech for tyrants: Geo Group, the largest private prison operator in the US has built a lucrative side business of digital tools, including ankle monitors & tracking apps, to surveil immigrants on behalf of the federal gov & their tech is being used by ICE for deportations. Who would have thought?