What’s working, and what’s exciting in the world of policy? To create a buzz around the brightest ideas, we asked the Apolitical community to share recent policy innovations they believe will address important issues in society.

If you want a policy spotlighted in our next roundup — share it here.

Responses have been lightly edited for consistency.

Lightning summary ⚡

📶 People can now unsubscribe from telecomms services in one day (Chile)
🌐 A white paper explores a data dividend for citizens (California, USA)
🍟 Nudges will make unhealthy foods less attractive (UK)

1. Me Quiero Salir (I want to leave) — Sernac, Chile

Innovation:

Me Quiero Salir — “I want to leave” in English — is a platform that allows consumers to unsubscribe telecommunications services (internet, mobile phone plans, etc) in 1 day.

It empowers consumers by radically cutting back the hurdles they face when they want to leave a telecommunications provider. Already over 40,000 people have used the service.

Why is it exciting?

It offers a fast answer for consumers on delicate matters such as internet poor connection when working from home, and also because it offers incentives to telecommunications companies to solve problems quickly.

Where can I learn more?

Head to the Sernac website (in Spanish) to learn about the policy’s impact.

—Daniela Gil, Sernac, Chile

2. A Data Dividend — California, USA

Innovation:

A prospective data dependence tax that aims to “share the wealth stemming from the exploitation of personal data with the users who generate it.”

Why is it exciting?

By finding an understanding of how data should be valued, and how that value can be fairly distributed, it could give back control over personal data to the people instead of the private platforms.

Where can I learn more?

The Berggruen Institute released a white paper on how a data dividend could be realistically designed and implemented.

—Karl Satinitigan, former Director at the Office of Senator Bam Aquino, Senate of the Philippines

3. Restrictions on promoting unhealthy foods in supermarkets — UK

Innovation:

In the UK promotions on food and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) in retailers will be restricted from April 2022. Large retailers will also be required to move these options away from customer checkouts.

Why is it exciting?

It taps into behavioural insights and supports people to make better choices to stay healthy.

Where can I learn more?

The Guardian shared a write-up on the changes.

—Laura Schubert, Project Manager

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