Denmark wants to employ blockchain in fight vs corruption

The Ministry of Development Cooperation, representing the Danish Government, released a report on how to fight corruption at the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC).

The report represents blockchain technology as a digital instrument to fight political corruption which has eaten deep into many administrations.

With the help of digitalization, new tools have been provided to prevent corruption. The Danish government believes that transparency regarding distribution of finance and land ownership can be achieved when procurement and public services are digitalized through blockchain technology. When this is done, corruption can be reduced in governmental practices.

Ulla Tørnæs, Minister for development cooperation, said: “With digital technologies, we now have new tools to fight corruption. With this report we wish to start a discussion about potentials and dilemmas. On one hand there are enormous possibilities and on the other hand we should not forget the risk that comes along with them.”

Blockchain opens up new avenues for anonymous reporting and whistleblowing through crowdsourcing.

For instance, China recently set plans in place to employ blockchain-based systems to enhance the monitoring of its judges and police officials, reducing corrupt practices in the process.

The report also gave special attention to the different ways men and women are affected in employing digitalization in the fight against corruption. Most women in growing countries are denied access to technology as opposed to men.

Tørnæs said, “The report has special focus on how the use of technology can risk enhancing existing divisions between men and women in developing countries. Simply because women in general have less access to internet, mobile technology and digital solutions.”

Recently, Russia’s Ministry of Finance proposed amendments on digital currency ban.