The term “digital colonialism” might sound provocative, but it raises critical questions about the global impact of UX design practices. At its core, colonialism involves the domination of one group over another, often through resource extraction, cultural imposition, and systemic inequality. In the digital age, this concept has evolved—tech companies now colonize through data, algorithms, and design systems that prioritize profit and control over equity and user autonomy.

UX design often reflects the values of the dominant cultures and economies that produce it. Platforms like Facebook, Google, and Amazon export Western-centric design norms to users worldwide, shaping how people interact with technology in ways that may not align with their cultural or social contexts. For instance, AI-driven personalization engines often assume universal user behaviors while ignoring regional nuances, effectively imposing a one-size-fits-all model. This mirrors historical colonial practices of enforcing cultural norms on colonized societies.

The exploitation doesn’t stop at cultural imposition—it extends to labor and resources. Content moderators in countries like Kenya work under grueling conditions for minimal pay to clean up harmful content for platforms used primarily in wealthier nations. Meanwhile, data extracted from users in the Global South is stored and monetized by tech giants in the Global North. This dynamic perpetuates economic dependency and reinforces global inequalities.

To combat digital colonialism in UX design, we must rethink our processes. Designers should advocate for “technodiversity,” ensuring that local cultures and contexts inform design decisions rather than being overwritten by globalized norms. Transparency in algorithmic decision-making and data usage is also critical to restoring user agency. Finally, designers must challenge the metrics they optimize for—shifting from engagement and profit to trust, accessibility, and long-term user wellbeing.

UX design is never neutral; it carries the weight of the systems that produce it. By acknowledging its colonial tendencies and striving for decolonized practices, designers can create more equitable digital spaces that empower rather than exploit.