Tracking the digital footprint in Latin America and the Caribbean: Lessons learned from using big data to assess the digital economy

Abstract

This report explores the opportunities for and challenges of the systematic use of publicly available digital data as a tool for formulating public policies for the development of the digital economy in Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective is to share lessons learned in order to advance a research agenda that allows the countries of the region to create alternative measuring tools based on the digital footprint. Using big data techniques, the digital footprint left behind by labour market portals, e-commerce platforms and social media networks offer unprecedented information, both in terms of scope and detail.