Today many governments wonder if the use of digital resources is a way to improve the provision of public services. The evidence has shown us that it is. Following other countries’ steps, Mexico seeks to bet big: the Ask Once policy implementation.
The Ask Once policy has demonstrated multiple virtues for improving governance and governments’ relationship with their citizens. This model allows public administrations to collect and (re)use the only-once-captured citizens’ data to improve services. To achieve its benefits, Mexico must address a series of challenges and risks for its correct implementation.
Challenges
- Legal framework
The Ask Once policy functions under the premise of the data sharing between multiple public administration agencies. Legal schemes may prohibit data-exchange aiming to protect individuals’ privacy and the use of their sensitive data, as it happens in Mexico. The adjustment of the juridical basis would involve considering Mexico’s adherence to the GDPR as a non-EU country.
- Inter-institutional coordination and public officials capacities
Data-sharing needs officials’ commitment and inter-agencies deference. Therefore, achieving political will becomes essential. One cornerstone for accomplishing the set goal consists in enhancing public agents’ capacities. The latter includes the internalization of the benefits and importance of their role in the operation of the model. Federal governments, such as Mexico, should pay special attention to this aspect as the coordination between three different levels of government comes into place.
- Trust in government
The primary input of the Ask Once policy is the information users capture. Therefore, citizens must have a neutral or positive perception of their government and certainty about their data protection. If the public trust does not exist, authorities must strive to enforce legitimacy. Estonian openness and transparency can be a leading example.
- Technology infrastructure
Regarding the data-sharing mechanism, Mexico has the gob.mx platform “that connects people with the government, drives efficiency, and transforms processes to provide information and procedures.” Through this portal, Mexicans carry out different administrative processes in one place. However, each agency has differentiated inputs. Gob.mx can be used to build on the Ask Once model.
Concerning the identification mechanism, Mexico should consider that a significant part of the population that lives in rural communities has no birth registration.
- Leaving no one behind
In a country where there is so much inequality, access to digital public services may be limited for specific groups. The government should be careful not to exclude even more the already marginalized populations.
Risks
- Intel jeopardizing
Security breaches and cyberattacks are a concern to be assumed and tackled. A series of cyberattacks have hit Mexico in the past. The government should use the lessons learned from these events s to avoid future information leaking.
- Technical failure
As humans err, digital technologies as well. The administration should manage IT risks diligently and provide the necessary oversight.
Recommendations
To undertake this monumental task, the Mexican administration should consider the following recommendations:
- Include the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data as one of the main counterparts of the project.
- Implement a previous pilot program for the adjustment of the model to reality.
- Ensure the legal framework allows the inter-agency sharing of users’ information and adequate coordination between government levels.
- Ensure all citizens can access and transition to the new way of benefiting from services.
- Establish a mechanism to hold the government accountable for the misuse of information.
- Train public officials regarding the Ask Once policy, privacy, and the use of sensitive data.
- Draft protocols for a timely and adequate response to technical failures, data retrieval, and cyberattacks.
Challenging and risky, but not impossible!
Mexico should undertake the challenges and take advantage of the advances and its commitment to the digitization of the provision of public services. The crystallization of a project of this magnitude will put on the table some issues that will promote progressive innovation and, hopefully, encourage questions for the solution of other rooted bureaucratic problems.
