Implications of the digital transformation on different social groups

Abstract

This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, analyses the impact of digitalization on vulnerable social groups in terms of lower income and education, age, people affected by disabilities, minority ethnic groups and people living in remote/isolated geographic areas. It includes a review of the relevant academic literature, secondary data analysis, as well as three case studies focused on digital inequality in e-commerce and digital financial services. The study reviews the EU legislations relevant in the policy areas that are the object of the case studies and elaborates some recommendations on the actions that the EU could undertake to tackle the digital divide affecting vulnerable social groups.