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Assembling Publics: Microsoft, Cybersecurity, and Public‐Private Relations

Author

Listed:
  • Tobias Liebetrau

    (Centre for Military Studies, University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Linda Monsees

    (Center for Governance of Emerging Technologies, Institute of International Relations Prague, Czech Republic)

Abstract

In this article, we advance the literature on publics in international politics by exploring the nexus between publicness and big tech companies. This nexus finds a significant expression in the increasing impact of big tech companies to mediate disputes over societal problems, deliver social goods and rearticulate public-private relationships. We develop an analytical framework by combining recent scholarship on assemblage theory and publics, allowing us to understand publicness as enacted in practices which revolve around issues and rearticulate relations of authority and legitimacy. To demonstrate the value of the framework, we show how Microsoft is involved in assembling publicness around cybersecurity. Microsoft does so by problematising and countering state-led cybersecurity activities, questioning the state as a protector of its citizens and proposing governance measures to establish the tech sector as authoritative, and legitimate “first responders.” With this rearticulating of public-private relations, we see the emergence of a political subject for whom security is not solely the right of a citizen secured by the state but also a customer service provided as per a service agreement. The study hence offers important insights into the connection between publicness and cybersecurity, state and big tech relations, and the formation of authority and legitimacy in international politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Liebetrau & Linda Monsees, 2023. "Assembling Publics: Microsoft, Cybersecurity, and Public‐Private Relations," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(3), pages 157-167.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v:11:y:2023:i:3:p:157-167
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guillaume Beaumier & Kevin Kalomeni & Malcolm Campbell‐Verduyn & Marc Lenglet & Serena Natile & Marielle Papin & Daivi Rodima‐Taylor & Arthur Silve & Falin Zhang, 2020. "Global Regulations for a Digital Economy: Between New and Old Challenges," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 11(4), pages 515-522, September.
    2. Viera Magalhães, João & Couldry, Nick, 2021. "Giving by taking away: big tech, data colonialism and the reconfiguration of social good," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 107516, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Nancy Ayer Fairbank, 2019. "The state of Microsoft?: the role of corporations in international norm creation," Journal of Cyber Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(3), pages 380-403, September.
    4. Louise Marie Hurel & Luisa Cruz Lobato, 2018. "Unpacking cyber norms: private companies as norm entrepreneurs," Journal of Cyber Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 61-76, January.
    5. Hurel Silva Dias, Louise & Lobato, Luisa Cruz, 2018. "Unpacking cyber norms: private companies as norm entrepreneurs," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115525, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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