With the growing penetration of smartphones across the developing world, we may console ourselves that we are overcoming a digital divide which potentially compounds the marginalisation of already neglected people. The profusion of accompanying digital technologies and the availability of varied digital spaces is, however, not necessarily as empowering a process as it initially seems.
To some extent, digital platforms are providing ordinary citizens greater opportunities for accessing information and making their voices heard. The use of social media to highlight socio-cultural problems, or even to catalyse political change, is well documented all the way from Arab Spring protests to the impressive social media campaigns launched by beleaguered communities and motivated activists around the world. Digital tools and platforms are also being harnessed to increase access to financial services, education, and even medical advice. However, digital platforms are not benign technologies which only enable connectivity and empowerment.
Digital technologies can readily be used to fuel hate, to surveil, or even to muffle dissent. Consider, for instance, exposures of Israeli spyware being used by states like India to spy on alleged dissidents, or the use of trolls by the security apparatus in numerous states to hound critics, or the digital surveillance used by Chinese authorities to keep a tab on its citizenry. The profusion of disinformation and hate speech via social media...
Read Full Story: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2342958/beware-the-power-of-digital-platforms
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