"Do not begrudge the refugees their smartphone - give them free internet" is the heading of the regulatory commentary by Dr. Steffen J. Roth, the managing director at the Institute for Economic Policy at the University of Cologne (iwp). The commentary was published on September 5, 2015 in the daily newspaper „Die Welt“ (p. 13). In this comment Mr. Roth explains why a smartphone does not perform as a luxury product for the refugees, but is indispensable for them. Firstly it provides information about escape routes and secondly it allows the communication with family and friends in their homeland. This communication could also clear up misinformation about asylum procedures and maintaining employment in Germany, which is in the general interest.

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