Human-Computer Counter-Choreographies: a new choreographic approach and web tools to improve user awareness and empowerment towards online tracking algorithms

Human-Computer Counter-Choreographies (HCCC) is a practice-based research project that critiques and counteracts the impact of data-tracking technologies on people and society. These algorithms are ubiquitous in daily life and often operate seamlessly on people’s digital devices without their awareness.

HCCC investigates the following question: how can a choreographic approach to human-computer interaction and computational arts counteract the effects of data extraction in daily life, by increasing awareness of online tracking, and inspiring user behavioural change?

To address this inquiry, HCCC employs a methodology that combines elements of artistic research, critical design, choreography, and embodied sensemaking. This approach is applied to how knowledge is communicated and experienced through the design of artworks, activities, and empirical studies.

HCCC comprises several components: a live-coding performance piece, a workshop series, a browser extension, and a digital artwork. A total of more than ninety people participated in these activities, providing insight into the research’s iterative development and analysis. Data from each activity were collected and analysed using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach. The findings of HCCC demonstrate that its embodied and choreographic approach improved participants’ awareness of the prevalence, intrusiveness and invisibility of data tracking.

HCCC makes two significant contributions to human-computer interaction (HCI): first, it introduces a new approach that bridges choreography with online tracking; second, it provides empirical insights on how choreography can be used to engage people in critical examinations of online tracking in their daily lives.

The research findings from HCCC’s artworks, designed activities, and empirical studies can inform practices in HCI that use embodiment to foster algorithmic awareness and criticality among users.

Human-Computer Counter-Choreographies advances approaches that counter extractivist technologies by centring bodies in growing awareness and critical reflection of online tracking. It encourages new ways of drawing attention to online tracking through an embodied choreographic approach. The concept of counter-choreographies prompts people to critically reflect on online tracking and supports behavioural change in relation to such algorithms. In doing so, it empowers users to engage with data-extractive technologies more critically, paving the way for more equitable data futures.