The commercialization of bias in cashless India

Abstract

The Digital India initiative is a sweeping set of reformative policies and programs set by the Indian government to bring communications technology to the masses in an effort to bridge the digital divide in the country and equalize underlying economic conditions among Indian citizens. The government has met these challenges by setting forth a series of initiatives that involve the foundation of new physical infrastructures and the creation of novel digital products – some of which are designed to promote the drive toward cashlessness across the country. Layered atop the creation of these new policies and programs will eventually be increased collection of data and implementation of automated decision-making processes to enable full utility from these new installations. The principal purpose of this paper is to examine the changes to technology infrastructure proposed in the Digital India initiative, conduct a policy analysis thereof with respect specifically to its impact on individual privacy, and identify policy interventions through which possible adverse impacts in these areas for segments of the Indian population could be diminished. We find that several critical policy questions remain unaddressed by the initiative, and that it can promote further bias in the absence of certain equity-promoting interventions and adjustments. We conclude by suggesting areas for policy focus that may require consideration by the government to maintain and promote normative fairness.