【明報專訊】Advances in information technology have enabled the free flow of information around the globe regardless of space and time. Information exchanges between countries have become more frequent, and the world is reliant on information technology to get connected. Information globalisation has also given rise to the concept of Big Data(大數據). The term refers to mass, unorganised trunks of data that can be harnessed to produce useful information. However, it is sometimes argued that information technology has played a part in censorship.

◆Globalisation×privacy

．Digital divide×data monopoly

In an era of information globalisation, messages, photographs and video clips left or uploaded by netizens all reveal their values, locations and preferences and can be used by governments for mass surveillance(全面監控). Edward Snowden(斯諾登), a former employee of the CIA, disclosed to the media how the US government used all sorts of means to monitor citizens of the US and other countries, as well as politicians of other countries. They did so by, for example, wiretapping(竊聽).

Information globalisation has also given rise to the digital divide. IT-savvy people get to enjoy the convenience brought about by information globalisation, while other people have become ostracised by the mainstream society for their lack of knowledge in this area. Wong Kam Fai, former chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council, said that global enterprises with huge databases such as Apple and Google were able to analyse big data and have a data monopoly, and that widened their gap between medium and small enterprises around the world.

◆Modern China×globalisation

．Censorship×The Great Firewall of China

Facing information globalisation, the mainland authorities have imposed strict censorship on the internet with firewalls like the "Golden Shield project"(金盾工程)and the "Great Firewall of China"(防火長城). Mainland China netizens are unable to access webpages containing sensitive topics. The Office of the United States Trade Representative wrote in a 2016 report that China's filtering of cross-border internet "posed a significant burden to foreign suppliers".

◆Public health×globalisation

．Infectious diseases×epidemic prevention

Thanks to the swift flow of information around the globe, an epidemic that takes place in one country can get the attention of people from other countries instantly, enabling them to know the latest situation and take preventive measures. That also enables the World Health Organization to evaluate the scale of the epidemic and take appropriate measures. In 2015, Zika(寨卡) virus went viral in many parts of the world. The WHO analysed the data and classified the epidemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in order to alert different countries to the situation.

◆Personal Development & Interpersonal Relationships×globalisation

．The spread of terrorism

Information globalisation is being exploited by terrorist groups who send messages about terrorism to people everywhere and incite them to carry out terrorist attacks. ISIS, for example, uses social media to spread their propaganda and recruit members.

■Related concepts:

．information technology

．information security

．cross-border activity

[通通識 第472期]