From Paper to Digital: Analyzing the Implementation of E-Government in Russia

The introduction of e-government is a process aimed at improving the efficiency of public administration, improving the quality of services provided and ensuring greater transparency of government activities. The active use of information and communication technologies by public authorities of the Russian Federation has led to the actualization of questions about the effectiveness and usefulness of digitalization of public administration for the population, as the question remains how effectively the state implements and uses digital tools and platforms for two-way communication between citizens and authorities and the involvement of citizens in decision-making processes. The aim of the study is to systematize and analyze the main effects for the population from the introduction of e-government into the state practice of the Russian Federation. The information base of the research includes the works of Russian and foreign scientists on the problems of digitalization of public administration. The article uses research and ratings data from the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation, as well as UN data. The main databases for analysis were studies for 2019–2025 conducted by VCIOM, Rosstat, the NAFI analytical center, the Big Data Association, the Portal of Public Services, and the National Research University HSE. The main positive effects of the development of e-government were identified as expanding the list and improving the quality of public services provided in electronic form, improving the convenience of obtaining information through reducing the time and money spent on servicing citizens in public institutions, increasing the degree of involvement of citizens and authorities in democratic processes and the development of the information society, including through increased openness and transparency, the effectiveness and efficiency of government activities. The main negative effects of the introduction of e-government were the violation of information confidentiality, fraud and the risk of hacker attacks, as well as the digital inequality of the population. Measures to improve the digital literacy of civil servants are considered as a way to offset negative effects.