DIGITAL DIVIDE?
The digital divide is a term that refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology (ICT), and those that don't or have restricted access. This technology can include the telephone, television, personal computers and internet connectivity.
According to studies and reports, the digital divide is still very much a reality today. According to a 2019 report, approximately 5 million rural American households and 15.3 million urban or metro areas still don't access broadband internet.
DIGITAL DIVIDE?
Proponents for bridging the digital divide include those who argue it would improve, digital literacy, digital skills democracy, social mobility, economic equality and economic growth.
The United Nations, for example, has helped to raise awareness regarding the global digital divide through the yearly celebration of World Information Society Day. It has also created the Information and Communication Technologies Task Force in an effort to bridge the global digital divide.
“42 million Americans still have no access
to broadband.“
“Globally 2.2 billion people under 25 still have no access to the Internet.“
“60% of ALL Americans Qualify for FREE or Discounted Broadband Access and Services!“
“The right to internet access is implicit in established human rights, including the freedom of expression, which is codified in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).”
The Big 3 components
1. Computer Matching Projects
- • Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, Pub.L.100-503, amends the Privacy Act of 1974
- • Computer-matching provisions of the Privacy Act apply to a broad range of federal agency computer-matching activities for the purpose of establishing or verifying eligibility or compliance as it relates to cash or in-kind assistance or payments under federal benefit programs.
- • Automated database connections to verify a consumer’s participation in a qualifying government program for the Affordable Connectivity Program through established Computer Matching Agreements (CMA) with state and federal government organizations.
2. Data Share Initiatives & Exchanges :
- • As the government moves into the 21st century with system modernization efforts, citizens are also demanding streamlined government services, a one-stop service that is well-informed about the c itizen’s whole circumstances.
- • CA 1st-Duty to Exchange: Parties to the DSA are deemed Framework participants. As such, they are required, when requested by another participant, to exchange “health and so cial services information” for certain purposes.
- • Enforcement-June 27, 2023, The statutory penalties created by the 21st Century Cures Act. If OIG determines that an individual or entity has committed information bl ocking, they may be subject to a $1 million penalty per violation.
3. Outreach Networks
- • August 5, 2022, the FCC established the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program) to raise awareness about the nation’s largest-ever broadband affordability effort, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
- • The goal of the ACP Outreach Grant Program is to facilitate the promotion of the ACP and increase awareness of and participation in the ACP among eligible households.
- • FCC has identified three objectives: - Expand and support diverse and impactful outreach efforts nationwide; -Strengthen outreach partners nationwide by empowering them to mobilize people and organizations to help raise awareness about the ACP and increase ACP enrollment because of ACP Outreach Grant Program funded activities.
- • US Connect PROIDES UNPRECEDENTED Deidentified and anonymous Contextual DATA TO its Government Data Share partners allowing them to increase informed decision-making and positive interaction.
