Focus: Covid-19 PandemicAll contributions regarding the political impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Asia and the world. Feature Article Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: a video on innovators in TravelTech Video Series This article takes a closer look at some examples of TravelTech startups in Asia-Pacific and North America that have accelerated their business or had a market launch or even expansion because of Covid-19. By Kristina Ernst Asian Articles Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Asian Innovators in HealthTech Video Series We take a closer look at some examples of HealthTech companies and startups in the Asia Pacific region who have addressed the Covid-19 pandemic with their solutions. By Kristina Ernst In the Philippines, distance learning reveals the digital divide Feature Forced to follow a “no vaccine, no classes” policy, the Philippines has implemented distance-learning programs that exacerbate existing inequalities. By Ana P. Santos South Korea’s Reforms Should not be Called a Green New Deal Commentary South Korea has put forth a “Green New Deal”, whose ambiguous targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and failure to propose a just transition to clean energy make the program unworthy of its name. By Lee Yujin Why we need to rethink open data in Asia during Covid-19 Commentary In Asia, the pandemic has accelerated efforts to keep citizens informed through prompt and extensive data sharing. However, this new openness has also led to concerns regarding transparency, data protection, and democratic participation. By Benjamin Zhou Can a national ID database ease the burden of Covid-19 in the Philippines? Analysis The pandemic has increased calls for a national ID system to improve access to relief funds. Experts say that the proposed plan may not work and may put data security and privacy at risk. By Jasmine Shewakramani Activists in Asia fear anti-disinformation efforts will suppress free speech Analysis In Singapore and South Korea, fact-checking initiatives have been effective in fighting Covid-19 disinformation. But other tactics – like confusing or overly broad laws – could be used to maintain political power. By Christy Tsang Asia’s Covid-19 Response and the Road to a Green Recovery Analysis The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to adopt drastic fiscal responses. Moving from relief to stimulus provides an opportunity to avoid carbon-dependent, unjust, and unhealthy investments and to ensure a climate- friendly, and socially and environmentally just recovery. By C.P. Chandrasekhar Why Japan Needs an Anti-Austerity Green New Deal After Covid-19 Opinion Covid-19 has shown us the limits of our current socio-economic structure and the neoclassical economics upon which it is based. It is time for the progressive left to put forth a Green New Deal for economic recovery and take on the climate crisis, the economic crisis and the inequalities of our time. By Hasegawa Uiko Pandemic strengthens China’s platforms as infrastructure providers Analysis From rural live-streaming to coordinating medical care, technology platforms in China have taken on a central role during the Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic accelerated trends that further cement these companies as key infrastructure providers working in close tandem with the state – but this cozy relationship comes at a cost to many. By Dev Lewis Profiteering from the pandemic: How India’s lockdown paved the way for big e-commerce disaster capitalism Article COVID-19 has become a moment of opportunism for Indian e-commerce companies to consolidate their market power, insert themselves into local supply chains and co-opt neighborhood stores. Policy interventions are urgently needed to preserve the autonomy of the traditional retail sector and prevent Big Tech’s takeover of local economies. By Anita Gurumurthy and Nandini Chami Global Articles In South Korea, pandemic data transparency comes at a high cost Commentary Efforts to follow social distancing and mask-wearing rules have been crucial to South Korea’s success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, but experts worry that other measures—such as sharing data from confirmed cases—have stigmatised and harmed marginalised communities. By Dahye Yim and Christoph Mayer Is Covid-19 the challenge health tech was waiting for? Feature The global pandemic became a linchpin for many health-tech startup companies that were struggling to find their purpose. In 2020, the industry saw record funding and attention – and the need to balance investor’s expectations with public health concerns. By Srividya Kalyanaraman The pandemic has made Mexico’s gig economy even riskier Commentary As the economic recession continues, more people are working for delivery apps, flooding the market and lowering the quality of service. By Rodolfo Aguirre Reveles How Covid-19 is spurring civic tech in Senegal Commentary As citizens in Senegal come together to fight misinformation and support healthcare workers, more participation demands more accountability. By Mamadou Diagne How to use data for the public interest, even – or especially -- in a pandemic Commentary Governments, the private sector and other organizations increasingly collect massive amounts of data, some for the public good, other times not. A consistent framework could ensure data use is both beneficial to the public interest and sufficiently protected against misuse. By Aline Blankertz Covid-19 tracing apps may see renewed push under Joe Biden Analysis US President-elect Joe Biden is preparing for a long-overdue national effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. That may include facilitating and promoting widespread use of smartphone-based tracing apps that have been developed and distributed in a state-by-state patchwork. By Gopal Ratnam Pan-European contact-tracing – a chance for more normality and freer movement Commentary Most EU countries have worked out the kinks in their contact-tracing apps and now offer them as part of efforts to track coronavirus infection and break the chain of transmission. The next step is ensuring the apps can connect across borders. By Zora Siebert Are fitness trackers the next answer to fight Covid-19? Commentary As contact-tracing apps prove less useful than hoped in many countries, other digital tools such as wearable fitness trackers are gaining in popularity for detecting or tracing coronavirus infection. But a reliance on such technologies comes with big questions about effectiveness and privacy. By Deepika Yadav "It must be a plot!" – Coronavirus conspiracy theorists take to streets in Germany Commentary Conspiracy theories might seem funny in ordinary times. But against the backdrop of escalating far-right attacks worldwide in recent years and now the pandemic, these myths have spiraled into a dangerous pattern of radicalization. By Katharina Nocun Social Media Platforms Need to Flatten the Curve of Dangerous Misinformation Commentary The rampant spread of Covid-19 conspiracies serves as a warning that our online information ecosystem can be weaponized well before platform administrators step in. To counter the deluge of viral disinformation, platforms should implement a circuit breaker mechanism to limit the exponential amplification of harmful content. By Ellen P. Goodman and Karen Kornbluh In DR Congo, the challenge is convincing people that coronavirus exists Feature False news is a major threat to the Covid-19 response in DRC. Government distrust, lockdown, and increased social media access accelerate the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By Jean de Dieu Cirhigiri For people with disabilities, working from home using tech is a relief – and a struggle Analysis Increased use of digital communication tools during the Covid-19 lockdowns has made working from home acceptable – and even more sociable – for many people with disabilities. But technology still has a long way to go toward inclusion. A storyteller, a sales development researcher, a product and graphic designer, and a writer talk about the pros and cons. By Hawken Miller It's time for a transatlantic digital agenda Commentary The pandemic-driven boost of digital innovation holds opportunities, but it needs a sound political framework. From countering disinformation to preventing algorithmic discrimination, the U.S. and the EU need to work together to set the rules for our digital economies and societies. By Julia Reda How the pandemic strained the European Parliament’s digital infrastructure Commentary The coronavirus lockdown caught the IT infrastructure of the European Parliament unprepared for such severe emergency conditions. The EU's parliamentary work comes with distinct political sensitivities and responsibilities for transparency that complicate the legislative process. Any measures taken to introduce digital tools now and in the future must safeguard vital democratic principles. By Eszter Bakó The US Congress should seize the moment to modernize during Covid-19 Commentary The coronavirus pandemic highlights the challenges of outdated congressional practices that needed to be addressed long ago. Individual members' offices and leadership of the House and Senate should reevaluate how technology can help US lawmakers better serve their constituents and their country. By Ananda Bhatia AI’s speed and innovation against Covid-19 points the way for the battle against climate change, too Commentary The Covid-19 pandemic has spurred radical measures worldwide to stem the spread of the virus, and specialists from different fields have taken up the challenge, working together to solve common problems using new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). This momentum is a beacon of hope for the fight against climate change. By Sasha Luccioni The great leveller? How Covid-19 responses could widen gender inequality in the UK Commentary The coronavirus pandemic – just like society – runs along fault lines of gender, race, class and other inequalities. With women over-represented in vulnerable frontline jobs, there are fears that technologies proposed to tackle the pandemic could inflict harms that differ based on gender. By Ella Jakubowska How the pandemic kickstarted a health tech renaissance in Nigeria Analysis Covid-19 has accelerated innovation in the Nigerian health tech sector, providing opportunities for growth in an industry that has typically lacked investment, government endorsement, and attention. By Ayodeji Rotinwa Brazil delays privacy law, uses Covid-19 for data grab Commentary Federal, state, and city governments are working with technology companies to monitor citizens during the pandemic, with no guarantee of what will happen to the data after the crisis passes. The irony is that Brazil already has a law that would protect the right to privacy – but the government is trying to delay its implementation. By Flávia Lefèvre and Joyce Souza How not to use tech in a pandemic - lessons from the UK Commentary From legal challenges to delays, leaks and policy reversals, the UK has stumbled in its tech response to the pandemic in the same way that it has faltered in its overall strategy, even frequently being forced to change course. A full assessment of what happened will take time, but the record thus far already offers lessons for the future. By Frederike Kaltheuner
Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: a video on innovators in TravelTech Video Series This article takes a closer look at some examples of TravelTech startups in Asia-Pacific and North America that have accelerated their business or had a market launch or even expansion because of Covid-19. By Kristina Ernst
Digital Life under Covid-19 and beyond: A Video on Asian Innovators in HealthTech Video Series We take a closer look at some examples of HealthTech companies and startups in the Asia Pacific region who have addressed the Covid-19 pandemic with their solutions. By Kristina Ernst
In the Philippines, distance learning reveals the digital divide Feature Forced to follow a “no vaccine, no classes” policy, the Philippines has implemented distance-learning programs that exacerbate existing inequalities. By Ana P. Santos
South Korea’s Reforms Should not be Called a Green New Deal Commentary South Korea has put forth a “Green New Deal”, whose ambiguous targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and failure to propose a just transition to clean energy make the program unworthy of its name. By Lee Yujin
Why we need to rethink open data in Asia during Covid-19 Commentary In Asia, the pandemic has accelerated efforts to keep citizens informed through prompt and extensive data sharing. However, this new openness has also led to concerns regarding transparency, data protection, and democratic participation. By Benjamin Zhou
Can a national ID database ease the burden of Covid-19 in the Philippines? Analysis The pandemic has increased calls for a national ID system to improve access to relief funds. Experts say that the proposed plan may not work and may put data security and privacy at risk. By Jasmine Shewakramani
Activists in Asia fear anti-disinformation efforts will suppress free speech Analysis In Singapore and South Korea, fact-checking initiatives have been effective in fighting Covid-19 disinformation. But other tactics – like confusing or overly broad laws – could be used to maintain political power. By Christy Tsang
Asia’s Covid-19 Response and the Road to a Green Recovery Analysis The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has forced governments around the world to adopt drastic fiscal responses. Moving from relief to stimulus provides an opportunity to avoid carbon-dependent, unjust, and unhealthy investments and to ensure a climate- friendly, and socially and environmentally just recovery. By C.P. Chandrasekhar
Why Japan Needs an Anti-Austerity Green New Deal After Covid-19 Opinion Covid-19 has shown us the limits of our current socio-economic structure and the neoclassical economics upon which it is based. It is time for the progressive left to put forth a Green New Deal for economic recovery and take on the climate crisis, the economic crisis and the inequalities of our time. By Hasegawa Uiko
Pandemic strengthens China’s platforms as infrastructure providers Analysis From rural live-streaming to coordinating medical care, technology platforms in China have taken on a central role during the Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic accelerated trends that further cement these companies as key infrastructure providers working in close tandem with the state – but this cozy relationship comes at a cost to many. By Dev Lewis
Profiteering from the pandemic: How India’s lockdown paved the way for big e-commerce disaster capitalism Article COVID-19 has become a moment of opportunism for Indian e-commerce companies to consolidate their market power, insert themselves into local supply chains and co-opt neighborhood stores. Policy interventions are urgently needed to preserve the autonomy of the traditional retail sector and prevent Big Tech’s takeover of local economies. By Anita Gurumurthy and Nandini Chami
In South Korea, pandemic data transparency comes at a high cost Commentary Efforts to follow social distancing and mask-wearing rules have been crucial to South Korea’s success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, but experts worry that other measures—such as sharing data from confirmed cases—have stigmatised and harmed marginalised communities. By Dahye Yim and Christoph Mayer
Is Covid-19 the challenge health tech was waiting for? Feature The global pandemic became a linchpin for many health-tech startup companies that were struggling to find their purpose. In 2020, the industry saw record funding and attention – and the need to balance investor’s expectations with public health concerns. By Srividya Kalyanaraman
The pandemic has made Mexico’s gig economy even riskier Commentary As the economic recession continues, more people are working for delivery apps, flooding the market and lowering the quality of service. By Rodolfo Aguirre Reveles
How Covid-19 is spurring civic tech in Senegal Commentary As citizens in Senegal come together to fight misinformation and support healthcare workers, more participation demands more accountability. By Mamadou Diagne
How to use data for the public interest, even – or especially -- in a pandemic Commentary Governments, the private sector and other organizations increasingly collect massive amounts of data, some for the public good, other times not. A consistent framework could ensure data use is both beneficial to the public interest and sufficiently protected against misuse. By Aline Blankertz
Covid-19 tracing apps may see renewed push under Joe Biden Analysis US President-elect Joe Biden is preparing for a long-overdue national effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. That may include facilitating and promoting widespread use of smartphone-based tracing apps that have been developed and distributed in a state-by-state patchwork. By Gopal Ratnam
Pan-European contact-tracing – a chance for more normality and freer movement Commentary Most EU countries have worked out the kinks in their contact-tracing apps and now offer them as part of efforts to track coronavirus infection and break the chain of transmission. The next step is ensuring the apps can connect across borders. By Zora Siebert
Are fitness trackers the next answer to fight Covid-19? Commentary As contact-tracing apps prove less useful than hoped in many countries, other digital tools such as wearable fitness trackers are gaining in popularity for detecting or tracing coronavirus infection. But a reliance on such technologies comes with big questions about effectiveness and privacy. By Deepika Yadav
"It must be a plot!" – Coronavirus conspiracy theorists take to streets in Germany Commentary Conspiracy theories might seem funny in ordinary times. But against the backdrop of escalating far-right attacks worldwide in recent years and now the pandemic, these myths have spiraled into a dangerous pattern of radicalization. By Katharina Nocun
Social Media Platforms Need to Flatten the Curve of Dangerous Misinformation Commentary The rampant spread of Covid-19 conspiracies serves as a warning that our online information ecosystem can be weaponized well before platform administrators step in. To counter the deluge of viral disinformation, platforms should implement a circuit breaker mechanism to limit the exponential amplification of harmful content. By Ellen P. Goodman and Karen Kornbluh
In DR Congo, the challenge is convincing people that coronavirus exists Feature False news is a major threat to the Covid-19 response in DRC. Government distrust, lockdown, and increased social media access accelerate the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By Jean de Dieu Cirhigiri
For people with disabilities, working from home using tech is a relief – and a struggle Analysis Increased use of digital communication tools during the Covid-19 lockdowns has made working from home acceptable – and even more sociable – for many people with disabilities. But technology still has a long way to go toward inclusion. A storyteller, a sales development researcher, a product and graphic designer, and a writer talk about the pros and cons. By Hawken Miller
It's time for a transatlantic digital agenda Commentary The pandemic-driven boost of digital innovation holds opportunities, but it needs a sound political framework. From countering disinformation to preventing algorithmic discrimination, the U.S. and the EU need to work together to set the rules for our digital economies and societies. By Julia Reda
How the pandemic strained the European Parliament’s digital infrastructure Commentary The coronavirus lockdown caught the IT infrastructure of the European Parliament unprepared for such severe emergency conditions. The EU's parliamentary work comes with distinct political sensitivities and responsibilities for transparency that complicate the legislative process. Any measures taken to introduce digital tools now and in the future must safeguard vital democratic principles. By Eszter Bakó
The US Congress should seize the moment to modernize during Covid-19 Commentary The coronavirus pandemic highlights the challenges of outdated congressional practices that needed to be addressed long ago. Individual members' offices and leadership of the House and Senate should reevaluate how technology can help US lawmakers better serve their constituents and their country. By Ananda Bhatia
AI’s speed and innovation against Covid-19 points the way for the battle against climate change, too Commentary The Covid-19 pandemic has spurred radical measures worldwide to stem the spread of the virus, and specialists from different fields have taken up the challenge, working together to solve common problems using new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). This momentum is a beacon of hope for the fight against climate change. By Sasha Luccioni
The great leveller? How Covid-19 responses could widen gender inequality in the UK Commentary The coronavirus pandemic – just like society – runs along fault lines of gender, race, class and other inequalities. With women over-represented in vulnerable frontline jobs, there are fears that technologies proposed to tackle the pandemic could inflict harms that differ based on gender. By Ella Jakubowska
How the pandemic kickstarted a health tech renaissance in Nigeria Analysis Covid-19 has accelerated innovation in the Nigerian health tech sector, providing opportunities for growth in an industry that has typically lacked investment, government endorsement, and attention. By Ayodeji Rotinwa
Brazil delays privacy law, uses Covid-19 for data grab Commentary Federal, state, and city governments are working with technology companies to monitor citizens during the pandemic, with no guarantee of what will happen to the data after the crisis passes. The irony is that Brazil already has a law that would protect the right to privacy – but the government is trying to delay its implementation. By Flávia Lefèvre and Joyce Souza
How not to use tech in a pandemic - lessons from the UK Commentary From legal challenges to delays, leaks and policy reversals, the UK has stumbled in its tech response to the pandemic in the same way that it has faltered in its overall strategy, even frequently being forced to change course. A full assessment of what happened will take time, but the record thus far already offers lessons for the future. By Frederike Kaltheuner