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Surveillance Capitalism in Mental Health: When Good Apps Go Rogue (and What Can Be Done about It)

Author

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  • Nicole Gross

    (School of Business, National College of Ireland, D01Y300 Dublin, Ireland)

  • David Mothersill

    (School of Business, National College of Ireland, D01Y300 Dublin, Ireland)

Abstract

Research shows that a large proportion of the world’s population has experience with mental health difficulties, and reliable as well as scalable care is urgently needed. Digital mental health seems to be an obvious solution to provide the better delivery of care but also the delivery of better care. With an imagined future of real-time information sharing, improved diagnosis and monitoring of mental health conditions, and remote care, supported by advances in artificial intelligence, many tech companies have emerged over the last three decades to plug the treatment gap and provide services. The evidence base seems compelling: some online treatments have the capability to treat individuals quite successfully. However, the introduction, utilisation, and expansion of digital mental health technologies have not always focused on public health only. Using a surveillance capitalism perspective, this paper approaches the democratisation–privatisation dichotomy in digital mental health with a critical lens. In particular, the paper details how (commercially valuable) mental health data are extracted, “shared”, and claimed as an asset by big tech companies. Reviewing the terms, conditions, and practices of ten popular mental health apps, the paper polemically argues that mental digital health cannot unlock real value for society—better treatment, good quality care, and efficient delivery—if power, politics, and profits remain in the hands of big tech companies. To conclude, the paper draws attention to contemporary discourses that seek to promote democracy and public value for digital mental health apps, technologies, and solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Gross & David Mothersill, 2023. "Surveillance Capitalism in Mental Health: When Good Apps Go Rogue (and What Can Be Done about It)," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-25, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:12:p:679-:d:1296900
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Geiger, Susi & Kjellberg, Hans, 2021. "Market mash ups: The process of combinatorial market innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 445-457.
    2. Kraus, Sascha & Schiavone, Francesco & Pluzhnikova, Anna & Invernizzi, Anna Chiara, 2021. "Digital transformation in healthcare: Analyzing the current state-of-research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 557-567.
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