Digital threats to democracy are a growing topic of conversation among those in the Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) sector. However, digital threats affect all USAID sectors, including economic growth, agriculture, education and global health. As noted in USAID’s Digital Strategy, the increased use of digital tools and technology has brought many opportunities for improved outcomes in USAID partner countries. However, technology also provides an avenue for undemocratic actors to manipulate information, exploit private data, surveil public space, and impinge upon human rights. Building on the findings of the Bureau for Africa’s 2021 Democratizing Digital Landscape Assessment, USAID has identified an important need and opportunity to further integrate awareness of digital threats to democracy into its programming. A 2022 digital development portfolio mapping of USAID digital development efforts showed that safeguards to protect privacy, human rights, and democratic freedoms are underrepresented and underreported in USAID-funded projects. This underscores the importance of countering and mitigating digital threats to democracy across USAID programming in sub-Saharan Africa. This document looks into the intersection of digital threats to democracy and the education sector for a USAID audience with an Africa focus. It offers recommendations for strategically raising awareness of digital threats to democracy and incorporating these considerations into programming, and explores key trends in digital threats to democracy across the education sector.
Digital Threats to Democracy in the Education Sector
Date published: May 15, 2024