The essay “The Enemy Knows the System. A Resistance Manual for a Surveilled Generation” was published in 2019. Its author, journalist and writer Marta Peirano, constructs in this book a critical analysis of the control and surveillance systems that define the digital age.
The text is situated in a historical context marked by Edward Snowden’s 2013 revelations about the NSA’s mass surveillance and by the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which showed the use of personal data to influence democratic processes. Economically, it coincides with the peak of so-called “surveillance capitalism,” where large technology corporations like Google, Facebook, or Amazon monetize user attention and data. Geopolitically, it reflects the technological competition between the United States of America and China and the debate about digital sovereignty in the European Union.
The work’s motivation lies in dismantling the false dichotomy between privacy and security, arguing that constant surveillance modifies individual and collective behavior, threatening sovereignty and civil liberties. Peirano places special emphasis on the fact that control mechanisms do not only come from states, but primarily from private entities whose business model is built on the foundations of data extraction and analysis.
The main theme of the book is the analysis of the attention economy and persuasive technologies. It details the mechanisms that digital platforms use to capture and retain users, turning them into products. Furthermore, it offers tools and strategies for effective digital resistance, promoting a more conscious use of technology and the protection of privacy.
The work achieved notable impact in the public debate within Spain, being cited in discussions about digital legislation and privacy. It is considered a reference text for understanding the risks of algorithmic surveillance and the need for critical technological literacy. The book not only diagnoses a complex problem but also presents itself as a practical manual for regaining agency in the digital space.