The Problem of Digital Inequality in the Regions of Russia as a Threat to Economic Security

Abstract

The creation of a modern digital economy is the most important stage in the economic development of Russia and its territories. Digitalization of socio-economic processes significantly expands the opportunities of businesses, individual citizens and the state as a whole. However, the economic digital transformation is associated with the emergence of various risks and threats in the field of economic security, including those related to the inequality of Russian regions in terms of the possibilities of using information and communication technologies in practice. The article examines the essence of the concepts: digital economy, digital inequality. We identified the causes and problems of digital inequality in the territories of the Russian Federation and ways to solve these problems. The authors analyzed statistical data that characterize the international rating of the Russian Federation according to the four components of the global connectivity index, as well as a rating of individual regions of Russia on the level of access to digital technologies and communications. At the same time, we also studied such indicators as the amount of spending on innovations by the subjects of the Russian Federation, the share of the subscription fee for Internet access from the average (for the region) salary, and others. Based on the analysis, the authors of the article suggested ways to reduce the digital inequality of regions in modern Russia.