Paul Raidna, Honorary Consul for the Estonian government, said it all when he posited, “Estonia is recognized as the most digitally connected, transparent society in the world.” After the (most recent) domination by Russia, everything in Estonia is digitally connected to its citizens–all 1.3 million of them.
To wit:
- Everything is instantly monitored and updated.
- There are no checks. All payments are made by wire transfer.
- An electronic chip in a card accesses a portal that tells all about an individual
- All business is done electronically, except are weddings and real estate purchases.
- Digitalization allows not only voting online but allows for a change of mind and reversal of a vote.
- Information about a candidate is public and readily available.
- This method saves 2% of the GDP in light of less bureaucracy.
- A digital reader in a police car tells all about a passing car and its driver.
- As of 2014, any Estonian can conduct transactions from anywhere in the world and can enjoy all the benefits of citizenship except the ability to vote.
- Skype was developed in Estonia; 85% of all gaming software is from Estonia.
- A child starts school at age 7. Criticism aside, there is a ranking of the top 4 or 5 in education in the world. There is produced the largest percentage of technicians next to Finland.
- Even the dogs are profiled. Vaccination records are on line.
- They are told, “The Government does not own the data; you do.” Block chain technology provides security no access personal data is provided without user authorization.
- It is hard to be corrupt when transparency is used. (So ’tis said).
- To promote population growth, free digital dating is an effort to get singles together.
- There is next to no unemployment in the fast-growing economy.
COMMENT: All shall continue unimpeded as long as Estonia enjoys a NATO presence
Related Articles:
Digital Estonia, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/18/estonia-the-digital-republic
Building a Digital Society, https://e-estonia.com/