When Apps Reinforce Apartheid Lines: Digital Redlining in South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa – A 2024 UCT study has revealed that ride-hailing algorithms charge 42% more for trips starting in townships—not because of distance, but due to so-called “risk pricing.” Meanwhile, Google Maps labels Khayelitsha as a “low-connectivity zone”, discouraging delivery services, investment, and even remote work opportunities.

The Data Feedback Loop: Apartheid by Algorithm

Although tech companies often claim algorithmic neutrality, their data reflects—and reinforces—historic inequalities:

• 80% of Cape Town’s EV charging stations are located in formerly white-dominated suburbs
• Airbnb’s safety filters disproportionately flag township-based listings, reducing visibility for hosts
• Food delivery apps show 3x more restaurants in Strand compared to nearby Nomzamo

These patterns echo apartheid-era planning, where infrastructure investment deliberately bypassed Black communities.

READ: Western Cape Reports Sharp Rise in Road Fatalities |

Hacking the System: Grassroots Solutions

Community-driven initiatives are pushing back. Open Streets Cape Town is crowdsourcing alternative maps that highlight:

• Township-based businesses
• Safe walking and cycling routes
• Community-owned services

Activists, however, warn that without government regulation and oversight, digital platforms risk automating segregation for another generation.

READ: South African Women Lead Regional Action Plan Against Drug-Resistant Malaria

The Bigger Picture

As South Africa moves deeper into the digital economy, access to transport, housing platforms, and delivery networks is no longer just about convenience—it’s about who gets included in opportunity. Unless algorithms are audited and policies demand fair digital infrastructure, townships may face a new wave of digital redlining.