With technology playing a more prominent role in an increasingly digitised society, governments around the world are becoming more reliant on technology to deliver different aspects of public services.
But while governments invest in digital public infrastructure (DPI) to modernise the methods by which they provide their services, consideration must be given to ensure that people with low levels of digital literacy, disabilities, and others who may otherwise be intentionally or unintentionally excluded are guaranteed access to these services.
Under an initiative of the United Nations Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology and the United Nations Development Programme, Dr Kim Mallalieu is contributing to the development of a framework of safeguards to avoid inequalities, human rights abuses, market distortions, and other potential adverse consequences in DPIs.
A senior lecturer and leader of the Communication Systems Group in UWI St Augustine’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mallalieu said in a recent interview that it is essential for all segments of society to have equitable and safe access to all resources and services delivered through digital public infrastructure.
“Without due care, many digital services may be inaccessible to people who have visual or hearing impairments; neurological, cognitive or neurological disorders; or are living with various other disabilities.
“Where these services are vital or mandatory, safeguards are essential to ensure equitable access for all.”
She added, “Equitable access means that everyone can access the services through provisions which cater to their individual needs, for example those of the blind and hard of hearing.”
While Mallalieu assumed this UN role in February 2024, she has previously worked and continues to work on a variety of UN initiatives relating to information and communications technology, policy, regulation and capacity building.
At UWI St Augustine, she is chair of the Campus Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Steering Committee and the principal investigator of the Caribbean ICT Research Programme.
She is also the deputy chair of both the Board of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) and the Advisory Board of the Network of Women in the Development Sector of the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU). She holds multiple roles in the Organisation of American States (OAS) specialised agency for telecommunications, CITEL.
Carefully designed and implemented DPIs which use digital identity systems, digital payments, and consent-based data sharing can be considered a “cornerstone” of modern society, facilitating tremendous efficiency. That care is crucial in mitigating risks.
“Along with the tremendous advantages of digitising the processes associated with the production, delivery, and evaluation of public services, there are potential risks, she explained.
“For example, the centralised COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (COWIN) platform enabled significant benefits in the efficiency, tracking, and reporting of COVID vaccines administered in India. However, until an alternative system was implemented, those without the requisite digital access and literacy could not book appointments to receive the vaccine.” With proper safeguards, she said, the risks associated with DPIs to individuals, communities, and the environment will be minimised.
Currently, Mallalieu, along with the rest of the Universal Safeguards team, is designing a table of recommendations which outlines actionable processes and practices that countries can localise to ensure their DPIs are safe and inclusive for all.
Once the recommendations are finalised, in-country UN work teams will collaborate with interested governments, civil society organisations, multilateral agencies, and technology companies to apply them.
