Seeing Like a State, Enacting Like an Algorithm: (Re)assembling Contact Tracing and Risk Assessment during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As states increasingly use algorithms to improve the legibility of society, particularly during COVID-19 pandemic, it is common for concerns about expanding power algorithm or state be raised in a deterministic manner. However, how are states’ projects enacted, contested, and reconfigured? Drawing on interviews media data, this study fills gap by examining Health Code ( jiankangma), Chinese contact tracing risk assessment algorithmic system that serves as health passport. I first explore intensive invisible work infrastructures enact stabilize Code’s sociotechnical assemblage. then show assemblage frequently challenged destabilized errors, breakdowns, exclusions. Facing unintended engagements from heterogeneous social actors, local interests, hierarchies, reassembles into multiple contradictory assemblages at different periods localities. Finally, examine people game bypass algorithm’s surveillance with their agencies. Recognizing messiness heterogeneity contributes more nuanced realistic understanding algorithms, including risks. Doing so also urges us rethink politics citizenship inequality digital age beyond inclusion.