The impact of technology on corruption.
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the potential for technological tools to be used in the fight against corruption. Technological innovation -- and the spread of cheap mobile phones in particular -- facilitates new ways of gathering data about the prevalence and incidence of corruption.
Technology reduces the cost of reporting corruption, potentially allowing the collection of vast amounts of information about its incidence.
In developing countries in particular, a rise in reporting could improve accountability as well as catalysing a shift in norms.
Automating public administration reduces the chances for public officials to use discretionary power to corruptly allocate state resources.
Technology can also be used by corrupt actors, as the increase in cybercrime and cyberfraud has shown.
