MDIF field research and audits grounded in India's ground realities

Our Work

Research &
Audits

Lasting impact starts with understanding ground reality. MDIF's research bridges gaps between citizens, technology, and policy makers with evidence-based insights.

Become a Research Partner research@mdif.online

Key Focus Areas

What We Research

Cybersecurity & Digital Safety Audits

·App and software safety audits: privacy, permissions, and fraud vectors

·Risk labels and safety badges for public use

·Safety scorecards targeting vulnerable and low-income users

Digital Inclusion & Access Research

·Field studies covering women, seniors, and rural youth

·Mapping regional and socio-economic tech gaps across India

·Evaluating government and NGO digital literacy programmes

Policy Analysis

·Studies on DPDPA, IT Act, and AI governance frameworks

·Frameworks for ethical AI, deepfake regulation, and green tech compliance

·Plain-language explainers for citizens and panchayats

Sustainability in Technology

·E-waste and carbon footprint research

·"Digital Sustainability Scorecards" for startups and institutions

·University collaborations on eco-responsible tech habits

How We Work

Our Research Methods

Community-centred, privacy-respecting, multi-disciplinary research approaches.

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Surveys

Community-based, volunteer-supported field surveys

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Data Analysis

Privacy-respecting data tools and ethical analysis

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Audits

Co-developed with ethical hackers and cyber lawyers

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Policy Co-Design

With legal experts, researchers, and government officials

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Academia

University and college research partnerships

Recent Publications

Our Research Output

Open-access, multilingual publications for citizens, governments, and institutions.

"Digital Safety for Vulnerable Groups"

Whitepaper

March 2025

"DPDPA for All"

Citizen Guide

2025

"Deepfake Risk Guidelines for India"

Policy Brief

April 2025

"AI in Governance: Risks & Opportunities"

Research Report

Under Review

Partner With Our Research Team

We welcome universities, NGOs, cybersecurity experts, legal scholars, and civic-minded startups to collaborate on research for public good.