CITIZENS’ ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS AND RISKS  OF THEIR DIGITAL INTERACTION WITH THE STATE:  DYNAMICS 2022–2025

Vladimir N. Yuzhakov; Andrei N. Pokida; Natalia V. Zybunovskaya; Alexandra N. Starostina

doi:10.17323/1999-5431-2025-0-4-7-33

Vladimir N. Yuzhakov Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5687-1863
Andrei N. Pokida Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5439-3503
Natalia V. Zybunovskaya Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0326-8590
Alexandra N. Starostina Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8116-0919

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17323/1999-5431-2025-0-4-7-33

Keywords: public administration, assessment, digitalization, digital transformation, effects of digitalization, risks of digitalization

Abstract

The digitalization of public administration is an integral part of one of the key national development goals of Russia. Its success depends, among other factors, on feedback from citizens. However, there is currently no systematic collection of citizens’ evaluations of the results of digitalization in public administration, including their interaction with the state. The authors have proposed and tested a methodology, methods, and tools to address this issue through regular social surveys of citizens aimed at identifying these evaluations. This article presents – and this is primarily its novelty – the main results of the fourth round of these social surveys: the identified citizen assessments of the effects and risks of digitalization of public administration as of 2025. It also presents data on the dynamics of these assessments compared to the results of surveys conducted in 2022–2024. A 2025 social survey showed that over the years of observation, citizens have increasingly valued the effects of digitalization in public administration. They considered the most significant effects of digitalization in public administration related to increased convenience in accessing state and municipal administrative services and time savings. At the same time, the survey revealed a relatively high level of concern among citizens about the risks of digitalization in their interactions with government agencies and institutions. More than two-thirds of respondents cited the risks of personal data leakage and fraud; 82.2% cited the high risks associated with the use of AI technologies when interacting with the government. The practical significance of the obtained data lies in the possibility of using it to assess and, if necessary, adjust strategic documents and plans for the digitalization of public administration from the perspective of the interests of its ultimate beneficiaries.

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Author Biographies

Vladimir N. Yuzhakov, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

Doctor of Philosophy, Professor; Director of the Center for Technology Governance

Andrei N. Pokida, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

Ph.D. (in Sociology), Director of the Center for Socio-Political Monitoring

Natalia V. Zybunovskaya, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

Researcher; Center for Socio-Political Monitoring

Alexandra N. Starostina, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

Junior researcher; Center for Technology Governance

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