One of the biggest barriers to solving financial exclusion—the inaccessibility of financial services—is that many financially vulnerable groups have limited access to technology and data. Many financial technologies that are designed to help the most vulnerable members of society can’t be used by those same people. To mitigate this, fintech companies must make tech solutions that use as little data as possible (so that people in rural areas can use them) and work on older hardware (as many vulnerable people can’t afford the latest phones or have access to computers). Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
