m-Government: Limits and Possibilities for the Use of Mobile Apps as a Citizenship Tool in Brazil

The growth in the use of smartphones has caused major changes in communication, including new forms of interaction between governments and citizens. The high penetration of these devices, even in developing countries, creates opportunities for the realization of m-government actions such as the provision of public interest apps. However, there are a number of factors that need to be considered for these tools to become really effective to promote citizenship. This paper describes research conducted to identify the limits and possibilities of the use of these apps for citizenship in Brazil. For this study, 98 apps available to Brazilian citizens were analyzed in relation to technical and qualitative aspects. It also analyzed the institutional environment and policies related to the theme. The results showed that these apps have been used in Brazil as an additional way of providing information, but are under used in promoting citizenship through public service provision or citizen participation.