Resource Security: Data Center Infrastructure & Democratic Oversight
This project investigates the resource footprint of data centers in Malaysia. It employs computer vision on satellite imagery and policy analysis to audit the democratic deficit in infrastructure siting, producing open datasets and advocacy materials to empower civil society in demanding transparency and local resource sovereignty.
Project Summary
| Start Date | 2026-03-16 |
| End Date | 2026-09-15 |
This project aims to develop counter-data methodologies that can bring transparency, showing that abstract concepts such as the 8cloud9 brings tangible, local consequences, and thus requiring those affected to be empowered and heard.
The Resource Security project has the following goals:
1. To generate independent, verifiable data on the physical resource footprint of data centers in Malaysia.
2. To equip civil society and journalists with evidence and tools for advocacy on the governance of digital infrastructure and its resource impacts.
3. To influence better understanding of digital colonialism in the Global South.
Key activities carried out during the 6-month implementation period includes:
1. Developing and release of an open-source computer vision repository for automating data center footprint analysis from satellite imagery.
2. Publication of a library of satellite images documenting the expansion of data center infrastructure in Malaysia.
3. Publishing a data-driven policy brief on transparency and accountability.
The project is scheduled to run from March 2026 to September 2026, with major milestones including the submission of a comprehensive policy report, the release of an open-source dataset, and a presentation of findings at the GSA Virtual Seminar.
Activities
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