Interview Questions for Rebecca Rumbul, mySociety's Research Head
In the digital age, the landscape of democratic information has undergone a significant transformation. With the internet enabling anyone to become a broadcaster or consumer, this shift presents both opportunities and challenges. One of the notable challenges is the proliferation of fake news, especially in regions where governments lag behind in digital regulation.
Two notable examples of civic tech, tools designed to empower citizens and foster transparency, are FixMyStreet and TheyWorkForYou (TWFY).
FixMyStreet, a data-driven application, allows users to report nuisances in their neighbourhoods using a map interface and optional pictures. The platform simplifies the process of determining the responsible public authority for reported issues by utilising MapIt technology. However, a significant challenge for FixMyStreet is balancing open data with user privacy, as collecting minimal user data limits research capabilities.
TWFY, on the other hand, is an application that uses open government data to increase democratic accountability and transparency. The application is run on a system called Pombola, which consists of two databases: one for 'people and places' and one for 'the words they speak.' Users can search TWFY for specific keywords or phrases, browse recent debates, or filter results based on factors like the house of parliament, political party, or geographic location. TWFY is particularly popular, with a majority of people in and around the British Parliament, including many members of parliament and their staff, using the platform.
In developing countries, sourcing good boundary data can pose challenges for the implementation of data-driven applications like FixMyStreet. Governments play a key role in promoting and supporting civic tech by fostering digital infrastructure, funding projects that enhance democratic participation and social cohesion, and creating institutions to facilitate innovation and transparency in public administration.
Examples of such government support include Germany's Digital Ministry, established in 2025, which focuses on digital topics including AI and civic engagement, and regional programs like 'Weltoffenes Sachsen' and Schleswig-Holstein’s 'Vor Ort vereint,' which fund local democracy and civic tech projects. Switzerland promotes AI integration in administration through the Competence Network for Artificial Intelligence (CNAI).
Government support for civic tech can lead to more efficient and user-friendly platforms, with features that integrate with government systems and reduce bureaucracy. It can also foster collaboration between the tech industry and government IT departments, promoting adaptive and user-centered practices.
The civic tech movement is a loosely connected sphere of digital activity that focuses on developing tools to empower citizens, particularly in areas of democracy, open government, international development, information rights, and public administration. In addition to FixMyStreet and TWFY, other examples of civic tech include parliamentary monitoring tools like TWFY and information rights services like AskTheEU.
TWFY usage tends to spike around election times and in response to news items. Research has shown that the user base primarily fits the ABC1 social category (middle class), with a slight bias towards white and male users. The development of TWFY prioritises user convenience over council preferences, and the platform has integration with major social media channels, allowing users to comment on and share individual pages.
In conclusion, civic tech presents a promising avenue for enhancing democratic accountability and transparency. With the right support from governments, these tools can become even more effective in empowering citizens and fostering a more informed and engaged populace.
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