Shoshana Zuboff
Scholar of surveillance capitalism and digital technology
Shoshana Zuboff is an American scholar, author, and historian of science who has become one of the most influential contemporary thinkers on technology and society. Born in 1951, she earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University and held positions at numerous prestigious institutions. Zuboff is best known for her groundbreaking work 'The Age of Surveillance Capitalism' (2019), which examines how digital platforms extract and weaponize personal data for profit and control. Her research traces the rise of what she terms 'surveillance capitalism'—a new economic order that claims human experience as raw material for behavioral prediction and modification. Her work has profoundly influenced policy discussions, corporate accountability movements, and public understanding of data privacy in the digital age. Zuboff's intellectual contributions have made her a leading voice in advocating for digital rights and warning about the societal implications of unchecked technological power.
Science & Technology
American
1951
Thinking about the name
Shoshana
Hebrew origin
“From the Hebrew Shoshannah, meaning 'lily,' this biblical name carries elegant, botanical associations and timeless Jewish heritage. Shoshana appears in the Old Testament and has maintained consistent use in Jewish communities worldwide, embodying grace, purity, and a direct connection to ancient tradition.”