Privacy debate shows countries not ready for digital economy
Facebook privacy debate shows most countries not ready for digital economy – UN
28 March 2018
Internet user growth is booming and
with more people that ever purchasing goods and services
online, protecting their privacy must be a top priority, the
United Nations has
said.
The main UN agency
dealing with the economics of globalization said Wednesday
that the privacy concerns raised after the revalation that a
political data firm gained access to millions of Facebook
users without their consent “vividly illustrates that most
countries are ill prepared for the digital
economy.”
This is all the more worrying given that about 90 per cent of new Internet users over the last five years live in developing countries – about half of which currently lack legislation to protect their privacy.
In
addition, with global e-commerce estimated to have reached
$26 trillion in 2016, ensuring that no one is left behind in
enjoying its benefits is vital.
“We know that the
digital economy can bring great benefits to developing
countries, but we need to address some critical questions
to ensure that digitalization leads to the future we
want,” said Mukhisa Kituyi, the Secretary-General of
the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Mr. Kituyi’s call coincides with the agency’s E-Commerce Week – the leading forum for Governments, private sector, development banks, academia and the civil society to discuss development opportunities and challenges before the evolving digital economy.
Being held from 16-20 April, in Geneva, under the theme Development Dimensions of Digital Platforms, the E-Commerce Week will look into the role of evolving technologies to strengthen sustainable development.
Some of its highlights include a high-level dialogue on these platforms as well as Ministerial roundtable discussions.
The Week will also feature events on digital identities and protection of consumers online, conducting trade and e-commerce in the digital era; blockchain technologies; and role of regional banks.