Quad Should Push DPI to Counter Undemocratic Influence: Carnegie

A recently published note from one of the oldest and most prestigious think tanks in the world is making the case for Digital Public Infrastructure.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace commentary, “The Quad Should Support Democratic Public Infrastructure. This is Why,” by Rahul Matthan and Rudra Chaudhuri, makes the case that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the “Quad”) should prioritize the promotion of DPI in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Quad is an informal strategic forum involving four nations: the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. It focuses on cooperation in areas such as security, defense, technology, and other issues related to the Indo-Pacific region. It was initially formed in 2007, with a renewed focus in recent years due to rising geopolitical tensions, especially concerning the influence of China in the region.

Avoiding Cheaper, Undemocratic Alternatives

The Carnegie note’s authors argue that DPI offers a strategic alternative for countries looking to digitally transform their public services while maintaining sovereignty over their data and infrastructure. This issue is particularly urgent in an era in which global vendors charge high prices, and cheaper alternatives come from firms linked to undemocratic states, posing risks to democratic values and national control over data.

The commentary frames DPI as a solution to the geotechnical challenges faced by many countries, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific and other sensitive regions. According to the authors, “for nations where price is an important factor, there is often no option but the latter,” referring to the cheaper, but risk-laden, solutions provided by firms associated with undemocratic states.

These systems, the article notes, are becoming deeply embedded in the governance structures of these nations, thereby creating a risk of external control over critical national infrastructure. The authors propose DPI as a transparent, shareable, and customizable system that nations can adopt to retain control over their digital transformations.

During the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit, the group recognized the transformative potential of DPI, but the authors argue that there is now an urgent need to move beyond recognition and toward tangible action. DPI, they say, “offers a cost-effective alternative to digital transformation, allowing nations to retain sovereign control over their digital infrastructure.”

How the Quad Should Make the Case

To advance this goal, Matthan and Chaudhuri propose three key action points for the Quad’s upcoming summit in Wilmington, Delaware. First, they recommend that the Quad initiate a “discussion on DPI governance,” which they assert is essential for ensuring that all four member states, particularly Australia and Japan, firmly back DPI adoption. This governance framework should be built on principles previously agreed upon during India’s G20 presidency.

The second action point involves shortlisting countries that are actively seeking DPI adoption, suggesting that these efforts should take place in parallel with the governance discussions. This way, the Quad can simultaneously develop the infrastructure and the rules that will guide its implementation.

The third action item is the creation of a task force under the Quad’s existing Infrastructure Working Group. This task force would help integrate DPI initiatives with broader infrastructure projects and signal the Quad’s commitment to supporting democratic infrastructure in the region. The authors argue that such a task force would “send the right signals to states wanting to adopt DPI,” and, more importantly, provide the necessary financial and technical backing for these initiatives.

Financial commitments and capacity-building efforts are critical components of the task force’s mandate. The authors believe that a pilot project in a country with a population of under 25 million could cost between $2–3 million, a relatively small price to pay for ensuring democratic control over national infrastructure. They also note that not all Quad members need to agree on every detail, but different lines of effort could be pursued simultaneously, with each nation taking responsibility for specific components of the initiative.

A Tailwind for Digital ID

In making the case for these efforts, the authors note that digital ID systems are a key component of DPI, and that such systems can integrate easily with other public services, such as healthcare platforms. The authors write, “data-sharing infrastructure integrated with digital ID systems can almost seamlessly integrate with health platforms, allowing individuals to quickly share critical information with healthcare professionals.” This means that individuals can share their verified identity and health-related data efficiently, improving the delivery of public services, especially in critical sectors like healthcare.

The article highlights how digital ID systems contribute to reducing identity fraud and enabling paperless processes. For example, it notes that “credentialing services that verify critical documents, such as driving licenses, tax cards, and school certificates, can minimize identity fraud,” making it easier for countries to digitize and streamline public services. This enhances transparency, efficiency, and trust in public infrastructure, while also protecting individuals’ identities.

With geopolitical tensions rising, particularly in relation to China’s influence in the region, the Quad’s support for DPI could serve as a powerful tool for ensuring that nations in the Indo-Pacific and beyond are not forced to compromise their democratic integrity in exchange for technological development. In so doing, it could also help to further accelerate the adoption of digital ID technologies in smaller nations that have the capability of “leapfrogging” larger states in rapid adoption of new technological infrastructure.

Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

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October 1, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala