Indo-Pacific: A blueprint for democracy in the digital age

As years go, 2024 has been big on democratic reckoning, and the elections across the Indo-Pacific have shown how technology impacts almost every facet of the democratic process. From the cyberattacks in Palau in retaliation for its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, to the young activists in Bangladesh who used social media to organise mass protests calling for electoral reform, the region provides a blueprint for building more resilient democracies in the digital age.

The Indo-Pacific is an arena where the pressures of rapid digital transformation collide with diverse political systems, social structures, and economic realities. This makes it an excellent study of global challenges to democracy, and policymakers should pay attention. Five themes from the region offer a valuable new framework for analysis.

Democratic resilience amid digital transformation
Many Indo-Pacific nations are grappling with how to safeguard democratic integrity in an era of rapid technological change. While not exhaustive, some issues include the use and impact of disinformation campaigns, the role of digital literacy in sustaining democratic norms, the erosion of trust in democratic institutions due to manipulated digital narratives, and the impact of emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence) on political stability. For example, during South Korea’s 2024 elections, deepfake videos were used to discredit political figures by fabricating corruption allegations, manipulating public perception and undermining democratic processes.

Tech-driven political engagement
The region has a large youth population that is highly engaged online. Digital platforms are shaping political discourse, enabling youth participation, and creating new channels for civil society engagement through social media. Digital tools and platforms have also enabled new forms of political assembly and activism, such as the youth-led movements in Bangladesh and Indonesia this year. However, tech-driven political engagement raises concerns over the spread of misinformation, manipulation of voters, regulation of political advertising online, and the potential for online platforms to influence political outcomes.

Cybersecurity and governance
Cybersecurity is a key challenge across the Indo-Pacific, as institutions, critical infrastructure, and digital governance systems are increasingly targeted. For example, Guam, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean, was under cyberattack by Chinese hacking group Volt Typhoon from 2021 to mid-2023. The intrusion was not for espionage, but for sabotage. Similarly, in March 2024, Chinese-state sponsored hackers conducted a cyberattack on Palau’s finance ministry, disrupting the payment of 1,800 government employees, allegedly in retaliation for Palau’s diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.

Indo-Pacific countries such as Australia, the United States and Japan are leading collaborative, multilateral efforts to establish robust cybersecurity frameworks, focusing on protecting electoral systems, mitigating cyberattacks on essential services, and fostering regional cooperation to address cross-border threats. However, gaps remain in achieving consistent standards across the region, with disparities in capacity and resource allocation hindering collective progress. Strengthening cybersecurity is not just about technology but also about trust, requiring transparent governance, public-private partnerships, and enduring multilateral engagement.

Digital authoritarianism versus digital democratic norms
There is a marked contrast between the use of technology to enhance democratic governance in some parts of the region and the rise of digital authoritarianism in others. For example, while some countries are using technology to promote transparency and civic engagement, others are employing advanced surveillance technologies and data control to limit individual freedoms. The most aggressive example of this is China’s export of advanced surveillance systems to monitor dissent and limit freedoms, through its “Digital Silk Road”, which forms part of its broader Belt and Road Initiative.

Digital inequality and access to technology
While some Indo-Pacific nations are advanced in terms of digital infrastructure and technology adoption, many others still face significant gaps. Uneven internet penetration, affordability of digital devices, and disparities in digital literacy are key challenges. In many countries, segments of the population remain excluded from the digital economy and political engagement, which affects economic development and worsens democratic inequalities. The digital divide can be exacerbated by age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic and educational barriers. Those without reliable access to technology are often left out of critical political discussions, online public spheres, and governance processes. Initiatives such as Tonga’s undersea cable project are an important step forward in lessening the digital divide.

It has been a politically fraught year for many nations and as we reflect on 2024, resilience should serve as an inspiration for global democratic renewal. The Indo-Pacific, with its extraordinary diversity and interplay of political systems, economic realities, and technology, is a unique microcosm of the complex relationship between technology and democracy. The region offers valuable insights and a testing ground to guide policymakers, civil society, and international organisations and foster more resilient, inclusive and democratic societies in the digital age.

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