Maison des Sciences de l’Homme Paris Nord (UAR 3258) :: 20, Avenue George Sand :: 93210 La Plaine Saint-Denis +33 (0)1 55 93 93 00 :: http://www.mshparisnord.fr 66 Militaries, militias and unicorns: platform authoritarianism in Brazil Militaires, milices et licornes : autoritarisme de plateforme au Brésil Bruno Cardoso Nina Desgranges Technological appropriation in the Global South In the present article we will discuss the appropriation of digital technology in Brazil, based on two ethnographical examples, with emphasis given to the relationship between local populations and the State, and on how they develop patterns and regularities by employing practical-use processes. By examining the workings of a command and control center and a food delivery platform, we will demonstrate how the technological devices developed in the Global North are used by various social actors to produce, or reinforce, relations of power and exploitation that are characteristic of the Global South.