Summary

In this report, the Special Rapporteur acknowledges the irresistible attractions for Governments to increase their reliance on digital technologies. He also highlights the grave risk of stumbling, zombie-like, into a digital welfare dystopia. He observes that big technology companies operate in an almost human rights-free zone, and that this is especially problematic when the private sector is taking a leading role in designing, constructing and even operating significant parts of the digital welfare state.

The report recommends that, instead of obsessing about fraud, cost savings, sanctions, and market-driven definitions of efficiency, the starting point should be on how welfare budgets could be transformed through technology to ensure a higher standard of living for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.