👉 Colonial computing refers to the era of computing that occurred during and immediately after the mid-20th century, primarily influenced by the technological and political structures of colonial empires. During this period, computing was often developed and controlled by Western powers, particularly the United States and European nations, who used it to manage their vast colonial territories. These systems were designed to facilitate administrative efficiency, resource extraction, and military control. The infrastructure was typically built with the needs of colonial governance in mind, often prioritizing data collection and analysis for economic exploitation over local development. This era laid the groundwork for many of the digital divides and technological dependencies that persist in post-colonial societies today.
