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*European Datawars: Fighting Terrorism through Data *
University of Amsterdam, 11-12 June 2009
*Confirmed participants*: *Louise Amoore* (Durham University); *Kirstie
Ball * (Open University); *Debbie Lisle* (Queen's University Belfast);
*Luis Lobo-Guerrero* (Keele University);* Beate Roessler* (University of
Amsterdam); *Marieke de Goede* (University of Amsterdam)
After 9/11, many European states adopted a so-called "intelligence-led
approach" to combating terrorism. This approach stresses proactive and
sometimes massive information gathering and data exchange in order to
prevent and preempt terrorist attacks. Two important characteristics of
this approach are: increased cooperation with private authorities to
obtain a wide range of information and a strong belief that terrorism can
be prevented through smart technologies. These technologies, often
initially designed for commercial purposes, allow law enforcement and
intelligence agencies to 'connect the dots' through profiling, data
mining, social network analysis, risk analysis and other predictive
technologies.
This workshop explores questions relating to the implications for ethics,
responsibility and political decision of the new data-led approach to
fighting terrorism in Europe. Critics have highlighted the impact of
counter terrorism policy on principles of liberal governance such as
respect for human rights, rule of law, individual freedom and democratic rule.
Furthermore, important theoretical issues can be raised in this context,
for example with regard to public-private security cooperation, the
constitution of 'Europe' through these practices; the relation between
sovereignty and governmentality and the politics of risk and preemption in
the war on terror. A continued debate is needed, on the one hand to better
understand the practices in the intelligence-led fight against terrorism,
and on the other hand to identify the possibilities, limits and
consequences of the fight against terrorism through data.
We welcome paper proposals from researchers across the social sciences and
the humanities that reflect on both the theoretical implications and the
practical manifestations of European datawars. Possible themes are:
· Ethics, responsibility and justice in European datawars
· Privacy, security and human rights
· Risk, prevention, preemption
· Datawars and surveillance
· Private authorities, states and the European Union
· Constituting Europe through datawars
Abstracts of 200-300 words should be sent to Mara Wesseling, University of
Amsterdam ([log in to unmask]) by March 1. We will select contributions by
March 20. Paper drafts should be submitted by May 15 2009. Work in
progress is welcome.
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