This research explores critical aspects of the ethical and sociocultural implications of digitalization worldwide. The rapidly evolving digital transformation in societies around the world presents public policy challenges that cross borders and cultures. Based on systematic scoping of the existing literature along with empirical evidence, this paper identifies the following growing ethical tensions in the digital environment: erosion of privacy, algorithmic bias, digital divides and reconfiguration of social relationships. The authors highlight major inequalities in the way that digitalization affects different populations, including that marginalized groups often bear disproportionate digital risks and have limited access to digital benefits. This study ends up with a framework for ethical governance of digital technologies that translates innovation into a human rights entity and as a tool for social cohesion. By situating ethical concerns within broader socioeconomic, cultural and political landscape, this study adds to the existing debate around responsible digitalization.
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