By: Hana Saada
ALGIERS– A new book dealing with the evolution of new technologies, the dematerialization of the economy and communication, as well as a regulatory vision able to support this ecosystem was published, under the title “By what right to hold the Net?” « Par quel droit tenir le Net (in French)» by academic, prolific writer and former Minister of Communication and Government Spokesman, Pr. Ammar Belhimer.
Published by Anep editions, this 218-page landmark book reviews the history and challenges of digital development in terms of new dependence, economy, cultural identity, protection of privacy as well as the digital colonialism. It deals with the nagging question inherent in the digital sphere and the imperative to better regulate it. The author refers to obscure forces that are taking the reins of the “world of the net”, advocating the imperative to resist “surveillance capitalism” or even “thug capitalism” which, according to him “deserves to be opposed by a regulatory and legislative vision emanating from the warriors of a democracy threatened on a planetary scale: legislators, specialists and citizens”. In other words, the universe of the Web should be regulated to nip the inappropriate use of data by influential centers of interest from the bud.
Addressing the economic aspect of this development, the uncompromising author evokes the involvement of digital technology at the heart of all development, “including in finance”, taking as an example ‘the Libra cryptocurrency’ developed by the social network giant, Facebook. He also cites the work of several American researchers, including Rachel Levinson-Waldman and Sahili Singhvi, believing that social media monitoring “raises significant risks for civil rights and liberties”.
This vision is supported by a US federal body that fined Facebook a record five billion dollars for a personal data breach.
Mr. Ammar Belhimer also tackles an “economic and commercial war”, on a technological terrain, and a “cold war” between the United States and China, in addition to a “balkanization of the internet”, to designate the various operations of “fragmentation under the influence of technological and political factors” in different countries.
Delving into the thought-provoking book, the researcher’s career, both academic and militant, is explicitly reflected, shedding the light on a well-documented analyst who does not start his writing from basis pieces of information to deconstruct the most eccentric ideas. He makes his thesis through long observation and diligent research.
Belkacem Ahcene-Djaballah, a former university professor and media specialist believes that the book is “a documentary-type work” that encourages reflection… Undeniable educational value at a time of non-availability of specialized works and major reflections on the subject.”
Brief BIO
Amar Belhimer, born on May 4, 1955 in El-Aouana, (Jijel province) is a public law professor and journalist, who became Minister of Communication and Spokesperson for the Djerad government on 4 January 2020, then the first Benabderrahmane government from January 4, 2020 to November 11, 2021.
He is the author of several essays and articles published in the press and journals specializing in Law and Economics. Being the founder of four newspapers, and having a long and rich experience as an editorialist and columnist, Amar Belhimer is also a long-breathed essayist who has published several works, including, among others; “The external debt of Algeria: A critical analysis of the policies of borrowing and adjustment” (1998), “History of economic thought” (2007), “Spring in the desert” (2016), “The ten new commandments of Wall Street” (2017), and “2049, the ‘year of the earth serpent’ (2019).