This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
Please could you provide an overview of the main technological innovations over the last decade (e.g. websites, mobile phone apps, auditing tools) that have had the greatest impact on identifying and reducing corruption, particularly in middle income, low income and fragile states.
Content
1. Information and communications technology against corruption, potential and challenges
2. Examples of technological innovations to identify and reduce corruption
3. References
Caveat
A number of paragraphs from this paper have been taken from a previous U4 Expert Answer entitled “The use of mobile phones to detect and deter corruption” (Chêne, 2012).
Summary
Information and communications technology (ICTs) are increasingly seen by governments as well as activists and civil society as important tools to promote transparency and accountability as well as to identify and reduce corruption.
New technologies, in the form of websites, mobile phones, applications etc., have been used to facilitate the reporting of corruption and the access to official information, to monitor the efficiency and integrity of social services and of a country’s political life, and to make financial information more transparent. ICTs can also support campaigning efforts and help mobilise people against corruption. Over the last decade, governments have launched an increasing number of egovernment initiatives to enhance the efficiency and transparency of public administration and improve interaction with citizens.
Authors
Sofia Wickberg, Transparency InternationalReviewers
Marie Chene, Transparency International ; Dieter Zinnbauer, Transparency InternationalDate
28/03/2013
