DIGITAL
EMPOWERMENT IN
POLITICS
GROUP 15: Tanya Agrawal
Ilma Khan
Smyra
Deepakshi
CONTENTS:
❑ e- governance
❑ The rise of social media in politics
❑ The role of E-Gazettes in modern governance
❑ Data Privacy and Sur veillance in Politics
E-GOVERNANCE
✓ Introduction
✓ Objectives of e-governance
✓ Disadvantages of e-governance
AGENDA ✓ Forms of e-governance
✓ E-governance in context to India
Introduction:
Electronic governance or e-governance refers to the
employment of the government in Information and
Communication Technology to offer and facilitate the
government services, provide exchanges of information,
transactions in communication, and integration of different
standalone systems and services.
In the age of rapid digitization, many governments around the
globe have been forced to integrate technology in governance
processes.And is practiced all over the world.
▪ It will aid and facilitate governance by the
government, citizens, and businesses.
▪ Government will be more transparent and
accountable in their response to the expectations of
society about efficient public services as well as
Objectives effective interaction among people, businesses, and
(advantages) government.
▪ To end corruption in the government.
▪ Easier and quick administrations of both services and
information.
▪ It is easy to get instant information with digital
communication to manage any business.
Disadvantages:
• Lack of computer literacy: India is a developing country, and most people are still far from being
computer literate, which reduces the effectiveness rate of the e-governance process.
• The dislikable of the e-governance sector is that it has no Internet or even computers in portions of
the country.
• The result of e-Governance is that there is a loss in human interaction. More the system gets
mechanized, lesser interaction takes place among people.
• It breeds the vulnerability for the theft as well as leakage of the personal data.
• It results into slack administration. For, the service provider could conveniently give excuses on not
supplying service on technical grounds to argue saying "server is down", "internet is not working", etc.
Forms of
e-governance:
G2G Transmitted within the government, either
between the central government, state
government, and local governments or
different branches of the same government.
G2C Citizens have a channel with the government
through which they may reach out to get
different services provided by the government.
G2B There is smooth interaction between the
businesses and government about the
services of the government for provision to
businesses.
G2E The interaction of the government with
employees is efficiently and promptly done.
E-governance in
context to India
E-governance is a relatively new phenomenon for India. The
launching of National Satellite-Based Computer
Network NICENET in 1987, and the following launching of
District Information System of the National Informatics Centre
DISNIC program-computerizing all the district offices in the
country which provided free hardware and free software to
State Governments-came as the much-required thrust for e-
governance.
This e-Governance is nothing but a by-product of technology.
Today, at the Union and State levels, there are umpteen e-
Governance initiatives.
As early as 2006, the Department of Electronics and
Information Technology, along with the Department of
Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, formulated the
National e-Governance Plan that aimed at making all
governmental services available to the last citizen of the
country, providing effectiveness, transparency, and
responsiveness at affordable costs, and by tackling the basic
grievances of people.
Some E-governance projects under the NeGP:
It launched Digital India to digitalize the It is the unique identification number that
country, 2015. It includes three main the UIDAI has issued. It shows the identity
components: Building a Safe and Secure and address by means of biometric data
Digital Infrastructure. Delivering and thereby it is offering a variety of
Government Services Digitally. Digital benefits to its members in society. Aadhar
universal literacy facilitates e-sign of a document.
UMANG. It is a unified mobile application
MyGov.in is the national citizen meant to act as an access point for
engagement portal where people can central and state government services,
share ideas and participate on matters of including but not limited to Aadhar, Digital
policy and governance. Locker, PAN, Employee Provident Fund
services, etc.
◦ The Indian e-governance portal is https://nceg.gov.in. On this portal, one can get
comprehensive information regarding the National Conference on e-Governance and
reports on earlier conferences.
THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN
POLITICS
BRIEF HISTORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN POLITICAL
CAMPAIGNS.
Case studies of political movements heavily influenced by social media (e.g., Barack Obama’s
2008 campaign, Brexit, India's 2014 elections).
Key platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, TikTok, and emerging platforms.
DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE
Definition of Digital empowerment in the context of political engagement.
The role of algorithms and data analytics in targeting specific demographics.
How political parties use social media to mobilize voters, especially young people.
Examples of positive empowerment (e.g., fostering political awareness, youth engagement).
Negative examples (e.g., misinformation, disinformation, echo chambers).
TECHNIQUE USED BY POLITICAL PARTIES
Targeted Advertising
◦ Use of cookies and user data to personalize political ads.
◦ Sponsored content and “dark ads” (non-public political messages).
Hashtag Campaigns:
Viral movements like #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and how parties align with these.
Influencers and Political Ambassadors:
The role of social media influencers in shaping political narratives.
Memes and Viral Content:
Political satire, meme culture, and their role in political discourse.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Youth Political Opinion
STATISTICS ON YOUTH ENGAGEMENT WITH SOCIAL
MEDIA
How political messages are consumed differently by the younger generation (short-form Videos,
memes, influencers).
The rise of political activism on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
How social media can create political echo chambers for young people.
SOCIAL MEDIA’S ROLE IN SCIENCE POLICY
◦ Case studies where social media impacted science policy (e.g., climate change, vaccine
hesitancy).
◦ How political parties use science-related issues (e.g., environmental policies) to appeal to
younger audiences.
CHALLENGES AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Misinformation and Fake News:
How false information spreads and the role political parties play in this.
Examples of major misinformation campaigns (e.g., 2016 US elections, anti-vaccine
campaigns).
Data Privacy Concerns:
Issues surrounding data collection by political campaigns (Cambridge Analytica scandal).
Polarization:
How social media can reinforce divisions within society.
“Filter bubbles” and their impact on political discourse.
THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN POLITICS
Emerging technologies (AI, augmented reality, virtual influencers) and their future role in
political campaigns.
The shift towards decentralized social media platforms and their potential impact on political
discourse.
The role of regulations, such as GDPR, and how they will shape the future of political
advertising online.
CONCLUSION
Summarize the key points.
Reflect on the balance between digital empowerment and manipulation.
The need for education and media literacy, especially in the younger generation.
Digital empowerment and politics:
The role of E-Gazettes in modern
governance
Introduction to digital empowerment and politics
Definition of Digital empowerment:
Digital empowerment refers to the procedure whereby citizens and communities
attain empowerment through digital instruments and technologies for better acess
toward information resources and services meant to heighten participation
regarding knowledge and opportunities through citizens empowerment in
enhanced decision-making along with complete participation within the society
Role in politics
Digital tools in politics enhance public engagement, increase transparency and hold
governments accountable, empowering citizens to actively participate in
governance.
What is an E-Gazette ?
E-Gazzete is an electronic version of a government publication that has to do
mainly with putting into the online world laws regulation public notices and formal
papers given that it is from print to digital this to give citizen the power to access
what the government is doing legislative update in regulatory affairs this makes a
cause for transparency : through the internet one can see in real time any official
publication
This is shiftings from print to digital: from physical publications to the online
platform hence giving the public increased access to crucial information from the
government in real time and wider reach important document are available to
citizen at all times and anywhere
Importance of E-Gazettes in Digital empowerment
• Accessibility – E-Gazettes enhance access because they provide convenient
accessibility to government publications for those located in distant areas this
means that any information reaches each citizen regardless of the whereabouts
of their less advocating less inclusiveness and public participation.
• Empowering citizens – e- gazette empower the citizen by easy access towards
legal changes of government announcement and regulation accessibility enable
staying updated about their rights and responsibilities thus fostering
participationin the democratic process
Efficiency and cost savings
• Cost effectiveness –E-Gazettes reduced printing and distribution costs, thus such
funds are released to be spent on other highly essential areas. Such expenditure
saves cost in public spending while ensuring access to the information deemed
critical
• Real –time updates – E-Gazettes will be able to provide updates in real time, such
that citizens will be on the same page hence being abreast with the information
needed. It is not attached to delays, just like it happens in the traditional way of
publishing, thus a person will be immediately informed on new laws, regulations,
and announcement by the government.
Environmental benefits of digital gazettes
The least reliance on print in the production of e-Gazettes minimises the
destruction and usage of papers, there by aiding the sense of environmental
sustainability. This change cannot propagate eco-friendly practices but also
supports the global shift to digital transformation and conservation.
E-Gazettes are sustainable because they reduces paper wastage. Since it has
become the new norm toward digital transformation,the government contributes
to environmental through available and efficient information with accessibility.
E-gazette vs Traditional gazette
• A traditional gazette revolves around physical publication which is a
time consuming process it requires printing and distribution and
inspite of all these it reach is limited often excluding remote
communities and reducing transparency.
• E gazette is instant option and globally distributed all you need is
internet acess it’s distribution is environment friendly reducing the
need of paper and physical distribution
How E-Gazettes support political engagement
• Public awareness –public awareness through E-Gazettes and alerting citizens to
the new policies and laws and government programs. There will be easier civic
participation as empowered citizens know their rights and, accordingly their
obligations.
• Informed decision-making – E-Gazettes ensure informed decision-making because
access given to voters to ready, official information. Such information, through
citizens access, enables people to make informed choices at the polls and to
participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
Examples of E-Gazettes worldwide
INDIA-The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs e-Gazette in India is the digital
official platform reporting every important notifications, regulations, or updates
related to urban development and housing.
SINGAPORE–The Singapore e-Gazette is the official web based channel for
publishing laws, regulations, and public notifications issued by the Singapore
government.
UK- one of the oldest in-country official journal is actually London gazette, now a
tool on-line.
Challenges in implementing E-Gazettes
• The digital divide shows that not everyone has internet access, which limits the
scope and effectiveness of e-Gazettes. Such a digital divide can even bar certain
sections of people from online government publications, thereby strengthening
the gap in information access and civic engagement.
• Data security is considerably important to e-Gazettes, mainly due to the
information they carry as being valid and confidential. The public would thus have
have to rely on data provided, and it would, in turn, become key for the
governments to provide strict measures in order to protect data breaches and
unauthorized access,into citizens’ information as well as their official
publications.
• There must be strong legal frameworks between the countries to assure that the
rights of people over the digital resources, for instance e-gazettes, are guaranteed
on the other hand the data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital literacy laws should
ensure citizens use the active use of digital government services to find
information considered important.
Conclusion
• Summary
E-Gazettes will assist in promoting transparence, efficiency improvement, and eco-
friendliness in government communications since it will provide accessible, timely
information to citizens, allow the public to be part of the process, and reduce the
use of paper with resultant sustainable practices.
• Future of digital governance
E-Gazettes carry the very high importance of governance in the electronic age.
Through E-gazettes, the government can be extremely open and frank about all
sorts of communications. Hence, E-gazette provide a precursor for the activities of
the government to be made effective and to make citizens more actively involved in
democratic processes by informed participation.
Data Privacy and
Surveillance in Politics
Data privacy and surveillance have changed significantly with the rise of
digital technology. This presentation explores how these issues affect
politics today.
The Rise of Digital
Technology and Its Impact
on Privacy
<
1 Ubiquitous 2 Information Explosion
Connectivit Massive data generation
y
raises concerns about
Smartphones and IoT personal privacy.
devices collect data around
the clock.
3 Tech Companies’ Power
Large corporations hold significant amounts of personal data.
Concerns Around Government and
Corporate Data Collection
<
Government Surveillance Corporate Interests Civil Liberties
State agencies collect data for Companies profit from data collection, Public dissent grows as privacy
security but risk infringing rights. often without consent. erodes under scrutiny.
Balancing National Security
and Individual Rights
<
1 Security Measures
Governments implement policies for safety but risk
overreach.
2 Legal Challenges
Lawsuits arise questioning the legitimacy of surveillance
programs.
3 Public Policy Reform
Demands for reforms highlight the need to protect rights.
Case Studies: Aadhaar Scandal & Facial
Recognition :
These cases highlight the potential for misuse of personal data in the political sphere.
Aadhaar Scandal Facial Recognition in The Pegasus Project Election Data Misuse
Controversy surrounding the
India Revelations of targeted Concerns about the use of
potential for misuse of Concerns about the use of surveillance of journalists data analytics to target
Aadhaar data for political facial recognition technology and activists in India using voters and influence
profiling and manipulation. for surveillance and potential Pegasus spyware. elections.
for abuse.
Regulatory Frameworks for Data Privacy
(GDPR, CCPA)
<
The Information Technology The Aadhaar Act, 2016 The Personal Data
Act, 2 0 0 0 Established the Unique Protection Bill,
Provides legal framework for data Identification Authority of India 2019
protection and privacy in India. (UIDAI) to issue Aadhaar numbers, Proposed legislation that aims to
The Act was amended in 2008 a 12-digit unique identification provide comprehensive data
and 2011 to address the issue of number, to residents of India. protection to Indian citizens and
cybercrime. regulates the collection,
processing, and storage of
personal data.
The Role of Encryption and
Anonymity in Digital
< Privacy
1 Encryption Use 2 Anonymity Tools
Protects data from VPNs and Tor offer users
unauthorized access during more control over their
transmission. privacy.
3 Challenges
Governments push back against strong encryption for security
reasons.
Implications for Political Campaigns and
Elections
<
Targeted Advertising Voter Manipulation Transparency Demands
Data-driven ads tailor messages to Exploiting data can distort democratic Voters demand clarity about data use
specific voters. processes. during campaigns.
Grassroots Efforts to Protect Digital
Rights
<
Activism Community Engagement Digital Literacy
Grassroots campaigns rally support for Local organizations mobilize to educate Promoting awareness of privacy and
data protection issues. and empower citizens. security best practices.
The Future of Data Privacy
and Surveillance in the
Digital Age
<
1 Emerging Technologies 2 Continued Debate
India is developing and In India, the ongoing
implementing innovative discussion on data privacy
technologies to safeguard involves balancing individual
privacy and security, rights with national security
including advanced concerns and ensuring a
encryption methods and robust legal framework.
biometrics.
3 Global Perspectives
India actively participates in international dialogues and
collaborations to shape global standards for data privacy and
security, contributing its unique perspective on digital rights.
Solutions with Advanced
Technology
Blockchain Differential Privacy
The government can incentivize research and Governments can establish guidelines and regulations for
development of blockchain-based solutions for secure the use of differential privacy techniques, particularly for
and verifiable elections, including providing grants, data collected during surveys, polls, and elections,
funding pilot programs, and creating regulatory ensuring that voter privacy is protected while still
frameworks that promote its adoption. enabling useful data analysis. They can also provide
funding for research and development of new differential
privacy techniques.
Homomorphic Encryption Federated Learning
Government agencies can invest in and implement Governments can support and encourage the use of
homomorphic encryption for sensitive political data, such federated learning techniques for political data analysis.
as campaign finance records or internal polling data. This This can be achieved through providing grants for
can be achieved through adopting strong cybersecurity research, promoting open-source federated learning
practices and promoting the development and use of tools, and establishing best practices for implementing
homomorphic encryption technologies in the public federated learning in political contexts.
sector.
Thank you
