The internet has changed the way most of us live. Through internet related technological innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and e-commerce, a lot of our day to day tasks have been made easier. Such innovations could also boost industries, making it easier for those who engage in certain types of business to carry out their tasks. The mushrooming of e-wallets in Asia – particularly Southeast Asia – could be useful for the tourism industry.

 University of Oxford published a study last year titled “Troops, Trolls and Troublemakers: A Global Inventory of Organised Social Media Manipulation” which highlighted “cyber troops” that governments or political parties would use to manipulate public opinion over social media. One of the countries that was included in the study was the Philippines.

The 2016 We Are Social’s special report on digital opportunities in Southeast Asia revealed that over half of Southeast Asia’s population is on the internet. This number is significant because it indicates that half the population have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the digital economy and participate in buying and selling things online, using digital wallets and so on.