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Paper short abstract:

This paper argues how datafication of social protection schemes may be posing certain threats for poor populations and rather causing exclusion. It is argued that we need to define 'who the leaders are' in order to understand better the motives behind data-driven welfare schemes.

Paper long abstract:

Whilst the use of digital technologies by many governments around the world are transforming the very nature of social protection for poor and vulnerable citizens, such datafication efforts have recently been under heavy scrutiny and criticism by social scientists. Digital technologies such as biometrics and artificial intelligence are commonly used tools for targeting and surveillance in disbursing welfare grants to beneficiaries in many developing countries. However, there are concerns that the increasing datafication of welfare systems excludes poor populations and increases the poverty gap. The key issue to understand is that 'who is in the driving seat?'- the government, international funders or data corporations? Unless we do not address this gap in knowledge and identify 'who the real leaders are', it remains unclear - whether the digital welfare state exploits its poor citizens amidst the constant drive for 'data-driven efficiencies', or does it create opportunities for inclusion? By affording a socio-technical perspective, this study is an endeavour to uncover such controversies and contributes to the information technologies for development discourse through an interpretive case study of a state welfare programme in Pakistan.

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This paper draws on work with 4 cities in India participating in the Smart Cities Mission to illuminate key challenges of urban data governance and to identify lessons for designing effective data governance.

Paper long abstract:

This paper surveys contemporary challenges related to urban data governance. Urban data includes geographic or spatial data, demographic statistical data (including service data), and sensor-based "big data" on the real-time functioning of urban processes. Each of these types of data has their own types of governance structures and actors. However, in contemporary cities - especially smart cities - these types of data are coming together in new ways, with important governance implications. Two important additional developments are compounding the challenges: 1) social media has also become a source of data on citizens of the city, and 2) citizen's identities (via social media and national ID systems) are enabling authorities to link data about individuals from across these types of data as well as previously disparate domains of human interaction. Traditional governance actors associated with the different types of data appear to be slow in appreciating the ways data systems are evolving across domains and types of data. Further, the rapid pace of both technological and social change means both citizens and authorities are operating well outside their experiences, meaning both are making decisions about privacy and security without a deep sense of the risks. We argue that the particular risks and challenges for governing urban data have not been fully articulated and understood - either in the literature or by urban authorities. This paper draws on observations from an EU-funded research and capacity-building project in which we worked with 4 Indian Smart Cities to design effective and inclusive data systems.

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This paper explores the implications of the major emerging pieces of data governance legislation for its likely impact on trade, and the ways trade arrangements are likely to shape systems of data governance going forward in India.

Paper long abstract:

It has become common to say that "data is the new oil". This presumably implies that it is a naturally occurring resource that can serve as the foundation of economic growth and fuel other industries. If that is the case, we should expect economic and policy contestations over both data itself as well as how it is governed. If the analogy holds, we should expect the emergence of such contestation not only within countries, but between them as well. In response to data regulations such as Europe's GDPR, countries such as India, Nigeria, and Turkey are considering, or have adopted, legislation regulating data. In some ways, such emerging legislation affirms principles of privacy and security. In other ways, they engage in contestation over jurisdiction, authority, and sovereignty. In particular, we note the emergence of the principle of data sovereignty, which asserts that data can be governed according to the laws of the country where the data is processed. This has implications for who is responsible for ensuring data security and privacy, but also who has rights of ownership and use. Notably, international firms such as Facebook and Google are challenging these laws on multiple fronts, including by appealing to existing trade regulations as precedent for de facto data governance. This paper explores the implications of the major emerging pieces of data governance legislation for its likely impact on trade, and the ways trade arrangements are likely to shape systems of data governance going forward in India.

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Paper short abstract:

The paper uses an innovative process tracing methodology. We mapped urban systems institutional structures and data processes in cities to reveal interdependencies & illuminate points for intervention. We explored links of administration and data systems for effective data-driven urban services.

Paper long abstract:

The exponential growth of digital forms of data is bringing insight and telling complex stories about every possible domain of human activity. Urban systems are one domain that is being transformed by new data technologies, creating the potential for unprecedented efficiency and accountability, but also new risks and challenges. One of the biggest issues for the urban domain is the extent to which administrative and functional silos keep data systems and stakeholders from working together effectively. To maximise the utility of data and ensure the emergent risks are mitigated, cities must urgently address these challenges of data governance, with the caveat that data governance is embedded within other existing systems of institutional governance. The challenges of providing data security and privacy alongside more insightful analytics requires a deep understanding of how the technology and the institutions fit together and co-evolve in complex ways.

This paper draws on an EU-funded action research project through which we worked closely with 4 cities participating in India's Smart City Mission. Using an innovative process tracing methodology, we mapped the institutional structures and data processes in these cities to reveal interdependencies and illuminate points for intervention. We comment on the potential to link up disparate administrative and data systems to support more effective data-driven urban services as well as to design more effective systems and processes for governing data. We conclude with a discussion of how the Indian Smart Cities are demonstrating leadership at the cutting edge of data governance.

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Paper short abstract:

In this paper, I explore how the traditional role of the statistics office as a producer of official statistics needs to be reimagined as a mediator and regulator of different data producers - including those within the private sector, academia and international organisations.

Paper long abstract:

We are living in a new age where there is a wealth of data and information that can be overwhelming to a lay person, but also confusing and sometimes contradictory to data users. Traditionally the national statistical office has been the main producer of data and statistics, providing the most accurate and official estimates of poverty, employment and demographics, among other areas. In this paper I provide examples of what non-traditional data producers have to offer - from satellite imagery, administrative or registration databases, internet price scraping and mobile location data. I also discuss the challenges that come from the availability of these data sources, including the lack of controls on data quality and analysis, inconsistent results, and disempowerment of the national statistics office. I then suggest some ideas for developing a regulatory role for the statistics office that will provide data users with assurance to the quality and consistency of data and statistics.

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Paper short abstract:

The flourishing data ecosystems of the 21st century present significant opportunities to monitor promote development. However, recent trends in suggest that these opportunities are rather perceived as emerging threats, which need to be contained and as weapons to further political interests

Paper long abstract:

In 2018, reports emerged , which confirmed that SCL- the parent company of Cambridge Analytica had tried to influence the Nigeran elections by weaponizing information on behalf of wealthy political interest holders. Partially in reaction to this, the National Assembly is discussing the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019. Among other things, the Bill would prohibit statements on social media deemed (Section 5:3a) "likely to be prejudicial to national security" and (Section 5:3c) "those which may diminish public confidence" in Nigeria's government. It proposes (Section 5: g) that these offenses be punishable by a fine, a prison sentence of three years.

The Bill has received support from those worried about the detrimental impact of fake news and social media manipulation, but it has also been opposed by those who see it as a threat to free speech. This paper makes use of the concept of "social contracts" to understand how this case, which mirrors developments happening simultaneously all over the world, reveals the opportunities and challenges of constructing appropriate laws and institutions for governing these data ecosystems. I note that the challenges linked to consensus building in a context of rapid social and technological change, can impede the developmental opportunities which such change presents. This includes for instance, the opportunity to monitor and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Paper short abstract:

Our paper examines the relationship between the Chinese government's tax diplomacy and its burgeoning digital sector. It demonstrates that a focus on the EU-US conflict over digital taxation obscures the politics between China and its Asia-Pacific neighbours, as well as countries further afield.

Paper long abstract:

Most of the focus in the recent politicised debates about multinational corporate taxation has been on the low tax rates paid by US tech firms such as Google and Amazon. Yet this discussion misses the bipolar structure of the digital economy, demonstrated by the presence of Chinese firms Alibaba and Tencent among the five largest digital firms. Our paper examines the relationship between the Chinese government's tax diplomacy and its burgeoning digital sector, sketching out an agenda for further research and analysis. To do so it first discusses how the Chinese government has supported Chinese companies 'going global' through its tax diplomacy, notably the Belt and Road initiative. Next, it analyses the present and future state of China's digital technology sector in the global economy. Finally, it brings these two strands together with a focus on China's position in ongoing negotiations concerning the taxation of digital giants. It demonstrates that a focus on the EU-US conflict over digital taxation obscures the politics between China and its Asia-Pacific neighbours, as well as countries further afield.