Does the Internet deserve everybody?

TL;DR

This paper examines the ethical considerations of Internet initiatives in developing regions, questioning whether such efforts always serve the best interests and proposing guidelines for ethical, effective, and sustainable connectivity improvements.

Contribution

It introduces a framework of ethical issues and considerations to guide the development of Internet initiatives in developing economies.

Findings

Identifies key ethical concerns in Internet development

Proposes criteria for ethical and sustainable initiatives

Highlights potential for exploitation and uneven benefits

Abstract

There has been a long standing tradition amongst developed nations of influencing, both directly and indirectly, the activities of developing economies. Behind this is one of a range of aims: building/improving living standards, bettering the social status of recipient communities, etc. In some cases, this has resulted in prosperous relations, yet often this has been seen as the exploitation of a power position or a veneer for other activities (e.g. to tap into new emerging markets). In this paper, we explore whether initiatives to improve Internet connectivity in developing regions are always ethical. We draw a list of issues that would aid in formulating Internet initiatives that are ethical, effective, and sustainable.