Edward Elgar Publishing Digital Identity, Virtual Borders and Social Media: A Panacea for Migration Governance?

Product Description This insightful book discusses how states deploy frontier and digital technologies to manage and control migratory movements. Assessing the development of blockchain technologies for digital identities and cash transfer; artificial intelligence for smart borders, resettlement of refugees and assessing asylum applications; social media and mobile phone applications to track and surveil migrants, it critically examines the consequences of new technological developments and evaluates their impact on the rights of migrants and refugees. Chapters evaluate the technology-based public-private projects that govern migration globally and illustrate the political implications of these virtual borders. International contributors compare and contrast different forms of political expression, in both personal technologies, such as social media for refugees and smugglers, and automated decision-making algorithms used by states to enable migration governance. This timely book challenges hegemonic approach to migration governance and provides cases demonstrating the dangers of employing frontier technologies denying basic rights, liberties and agencies of migrants and refugees. Stepping into a contentious political climate for migrants and refugees, this provocative book is ideal reading for scholars and researchers of political science and public policy, particularly those focusing on migration and refugee studies. It will also benefit policymakers and practitioners dealing with migration, such as humanitarian NGOs, UN agencies and local authorities. Review ‘Digital Identity, Virtual Borders and Social Media presents sound, scrupulous research into the complexities of technology in migration.’ -- Magda Rodríguez Dehli, Routed ‘A unique and seminal collection of seven erudite and informative contributions by experts in the field, Digital Identity, Virtual Borders and Social Media must be considered a core and essential addition to college and university library collections, and essential reading for students, academia, political activists, governmental policymakers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.’ -- Paul T. Vogel, Midwest Book Review 'The book is a timely contribution on how digital technology is used in the establishment, management and enforcement of physical and virtual borders. It offers a multi-faceted view into digital technologies used in the context of migration, offering insights into the potential of these technologies, but also exposing the risks, be it through direct use of technology, its problematic conceptualization, or through inequalities in accessing digital resources.' -- Albert Ali Salah, Utrecht University, the Netherlands About the Author Edited by Emre Eren Korkmaz, Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford, UK