Digital sovereignty is a global phenomenon that manifests as a critical component of digital governance worldwide. The concept is rooted in the ability of various actors—states, corporations, communities, and individuals—to exert control over digital infrastructures, data flows, and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. This global trend is a response to the realization that digital spaces are not inherently free from state jurisdiction or corporate dominance, as was once idealistically proclaimed.
Global Digital Sovereignty Trends
State-Centric Approaches: Nation-states globally are increasingly asserting their authority over digital domains. The European Union’s GDPR is a prime example, setting a benchmark for data protection laws worldwide. In the United States, the debate over digital sovereignty has led to various state-level privacy laws and federal proposals aimed at curbing the power of Big Tech. Countries like Turkey have implemented internet censorship laws, while in India, the government has taken steps to ban foreign apps and enforce data localization policies.
Supranational Dynamics: Beyond individual states, supranational bodies like the EU are pioneering collective approaches to digital sovereignty. The EU’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act are designed to regulate digital platforms and ensure a level playing field. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and other regional bodies are also exploring frameworks to balance digital trade and data protection.
Network and Infrastructure Control: The idea of network sovereignty is gaining ground as nations seek to secure their digital infrastructures. This is evident in the construction of national cables, the development of local cloud services, and the pursuit of indigenous technologies. Countries like Germany have proposed digital “sovereignty cards” to give citizens control over their data.
Corporate Sovereignty Challenges: Tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Alibaba have amassed power akin to that of states, influencing everything from privacy norms to market dynamics. This has prompted regulatory responses worldwide, including the U.S. scrutiny of tech monopolies and China’s crackdown on tech firms to align them with national interests.
Personal and Civic Digital Sovereignty: The push for personal digital sovereignty is reflected in movements demanding privacy rights and data ownership. The concept of “informational self-determination” is gaining traction, empowering individuals to challenge both state and corporate data practices.
Postcolonial and Indigenous Perspectives: In the Global South and among indigenous populations, digital sovereignty is often framed as a postcolonial issue. It is a means to protect cultural heritage and resist the digital influence of former colonial powers. Initiatives like the African Union’s data protection regulations and indigenous data governance movements are part of this broader trend.
Commons-Based Initiatives: There is a growing movement towards commons digital sovereignty, which seeks to democratize digital spaces and infrastructures. Open-source software, decentralized networks like Mastodon, and community-owned internet services are manifestations of this perspective.
Global Regulatory Challenges
The global regulatory landscape is marked by attempts to territorialize the internet, which often clash with the inherently borderless nature of digital technologies. The challenge lies in harmonizing diverse national regulations to facilitate cross-border data flows while respecting local sovereignty.
For instance, the Schrems II ruling by the European Court of Justice highlighted the complexities of transatlantic data transfers under the Privacy Shield framework, leading to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. These legal battles underscore the difficulty of aligning divergent digital sovereignty policies.
Strategic Digital Sovereignty Implementation
Strategically, digital sovereignty is not just about regulation but also about fostering technological independence and innovation. Nations are investing in sovereign cloud services, which allow for data residency and compliance with local regulations. This approach is being mirrored in various sectors, from finance to healthcare, as countries aim to reduce their dependence on foreign tech solutions.
The multi-cloud strategy, which incorporates sovereign cloud elements, is becoming essential for organizations aiming to balance global scalability with local data control and privacy requirements. This is particularly relevant in the context of artificial intelligence governance, where countries like France and Germany are leading the charge against the dominance of U.S. and Chinese AI giants.
Global Alliances and Digital Governance
The rise of digital sovereignty has also led to the formation of new global alliances. The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) between the EU and the U.S. is an attempt to bridge differences and establish shared digital governance principles. However, the BRICS+ expansion and other emerging power alliances signal a multipolar world where digital governance is contested across different ideological lines.
Brazil
In Brazil, digital sovereignty is addressed through a combination of legislative measures, infrastructure development, and fostering a digital ecosystem that reduces dependence on foreign technology giants. A landmark in this quest is the Marco Civil da Internet (Civil Rights Framework for the Internet), enacted in 2014, which establishes principles, guarantees, rights, and duties for internet use in Brazil, emphasizing net neutrality, privacy, and freedom of expression. This law positions Brazil as a leader in promoting a human rights-centered approach to internet governance.
Furthermore, Brazil has taken steps to enhance its digital infrastructure, such as the development of the EllaLink undersea cable, which connects Brazil to Europe, aiming to bypass U.S. surveillance and assert greater control over data flows. The Brazilian government also prioritized the creation of its own digital payment system, Pix, launched by the Central Bank in 2020, to stimulate domestic financial technology and reduce reliance on international payment systems.
In terms of data protection, Brazil enacted the Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) in 2018, inspired by the EU’s GDPR, which gives individuals greater control over their personal data and imposes stringent sanctions for data breaches. These initiatives reflect Brazil’s commitment to digital sovereignty, balancing the protection of individual rights with national security and economic independence. The country’s approach is indicative of a broader trend where developing nations seek to carve out their own digital destinies, resisting the dominance of foreign digital ecosystems while promoting local innovation and digital inclusion.
