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Digitalization and Democracy

Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital technologies are deeply embedded in public and private life, making the infrastructure that supports them critical to shaping democracy. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to the systems and services that enable public, civic, and private functions, and should be universally accessible, secure, and uphold democratic principles.

When designed with democracy in mind, DPI promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, as demonstrated by Estonia’s success in implementing e-governance systems that allow citizens to securely vote online, access government services, and monitor public spending. However, poorly designed or unregulated DPI can be exploited for surveillance, repression and the entrenchment of authoritarian regimes. Ensuring that DPI supports democratic values is crucial to safeguarding and strengthening democracy in the digital age

International IDEA promotes democratic values at the inception of DPI development, ensuring that safeguards are in place to protect these systems from attacks and misuse by state and non-state actors. Based on this outlook, International IDEA takes a cybersecurity-oriented approach to Democratic Digital Public Infrastructure (DDPI). 

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