#BTColumn – Beyond Paradise Barbados: Battle for Digital Equality

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

By Steven Williams

In the Caribbean, digital businesses, including software development, confront a formidable challenge: the quest for global competitiveness by small island nations like Barbados. In this field of information technology, we consistently grapple with the harsh reality that the playing field is far from level.

A striking example of this issue is the hurdles encountered by our content creators who aspire to share their stories. This endeavour carries the potential to generate foreign exchange income for our country. However, it may not come as a surprise to some that Barbados stands out as one of the few countries in the region where content producers are unable to monetise their content on platforms like YouTube.

Even more concerning is the fact that we are the only country in the region where our software developers cannot receive payments through the Google Play store. Meanwhile, smaller territories like St Vincent and Antigua and all other English-speaking countries in the region can sell their software via this crucial marketplace.

For the record, yes, Barbadian mobile application developers can monetise on the Apple App Store. However, it’s worth noting that as of 2021, Android had a larger global market share than iOS, with Android’s market share estimated to be over 70 per cent, making it the dominant mobile operating system worldwide.

To provide a better perspective, consider a scenario in which all businesses in Barbados received notice that they were prohibited from utilising the Visa card payment platform, which is the dominant payment network. Now, contemplate the economic implications of such a situation, especially in today’s context, where credit card usage is projected to maintain an annual growth rate ranging from 6 per cent to 8 per cent. This trajectory is expected to surpass cash transactions, making credit cards the predominant choice for payments by 2024, as indicated by consulting firm RBR London. It would be a death blow to traditional businesses, and so it’s equally devastating for our content creators and software development firms.

Economic Impact

Exclusion from Google Play means that Barbadian software developers miss out on a substantial source of income, including revenue from app sales and in-app purchases. This exclusion hampers the country’s ability to contribute to economic growth and development through the digital sector.

The absence of monetisation opportunities on Google Play stifles innovation in the local technology sector. Developers may become less motivated to create new apps or improve existing ones, which in turn affects the competitiveness of Barbados in the digital marketplace.

Being shut out from any international digital marketplace limits export opportunities for digital products. Monetising apps globally through Google Play could have served as a valuable source of foreign exchange income for the country, enhancing its economic stability.

Cultural Impact

The inability to monetise content on platforms like YouTube hinders the growth of Barbadian content creators, discouraging them from sharing their unique stories and culture with a global audience. This limitation curtails cultural expression and artistic development.

Exclusion from online platforms not only impacts content creators but also hinders cultural exchange and exposure. Barbados loses the opportunity to share its rich culture, traditions, and values with the world, which is essential for preserving and celebrating its heritage.

Developmental Impact

The absence of monetisation opportunities on digital platforms inhibits digital skills development among the youth. A thriving digital marketplace can inspire and nurture a skilled workforce in technology-related fields. Being shut out of major platforms hampers the growth of this crucial resource.

Monetisation opportunities on platforms like Google Play can stimulate entrepreneurship in the tech sector, fostering innovation and economic diversification. The absence of such opportunities may deter aspiring entrepreneurs from pursuing their ventures, impacting the nation’s overall economic development.

In summary, the exclusion from monetisation on platforms like Google Play, just like if we were being shut out of the Mastercard and Visa payment networks, poses substantial economic, cultural, and developmental challenges for Barbados. Addressing these challenges is imperative for creating an environment conducive to digital innovation, economic diversification, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Steven Williams is the executive director of Sunisle Technology Solutions and the principal consultant at Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services. He is a former IT advisor to the Government’s Law Review Commission, focusing on the draft Cybercrime bill. He holds an MBA from the University of Durham and is certified as a chief information security officer by the EC Council and as a data protection officer by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB). Steven can be reached at: Mobile: 246-233-0090 Email: steven@dataprivacy.bb