The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has released a white paper introducing the concept of a National Open Digital Ecosystems (NODEs). The system is envisaged to be an 'open and secure delivery platform, anchored by transparent governance mechanisms, which will enable a community of partners to unlock innovative solutions, to transform societal outcomes’. 

While we recognise the potential of NODES to enable more citizen-centric public services, we draw attention to the importance of first developing robust adequate governance structures, institutional capacities, and community participation frameworks.  Our response highlights concerns around varying levels of digitalisation; underdeveloped institutions for data governance;  weak privacy and security infrastructure; and the absence of public deliberation around the purpose and governance of NODEs. Without addressing these issues, NODEs could amount to a case of putting the cart before the horse, with significant challenges for inclusivity, privacy, and accountability. 

This response was authored by the team at Tandem Research, the former home of the Responsible Technology Initiative