Data Toxicality: A Techno-Philosophical Inquiry into Digital Harm

Abstract

In biochemistry, toxicity denotes the potential of a substance to cause harm within a biological system. Over time, the concept has been extended beyond its scientific origins to describe forms of social and psychological harm, as reflected in expressions like “toxic masculinity” or “toxic relationships.” This paper introduces the concept of “data toxicality,” a techno-philosophical perspective on harmful sociopsychological effects emerging from data practices in the digital age. Unlike biochemical toxicity, data toxicality manifests in interpersonal and institutional dynamics, affecting autonomy, power structures, and digital ethics. The discussion examines both direct and indirect harms resulting from data misuse, surveillance, and algorithmic bias, while considering “unfindability” as a conceptual alternative to data deletion.

Keywords

• data toxicality
• techno-philosophy
• digital ethics
• digital harm
• surveillance and autonomy
• unfindability