Digital Sovereignty: Unlocking the Potential of a Trusted and Integrated Internet

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In today's interconnected world, the concept of digital sovereignty is gaining traction as countries seek to protect their data and secure their cyber space. The rise of data localisation measures, which dictate how data should be processed and stored within a specific geographic location, is evidence of this trend. However, experts argue that digital sovereignty should not be seen as a fragmenting force, but rather as a unifying principle that can foster trust and integration in the digital realm.

One of the driving factors behind the adoption of data localisation regulations is geopolitical concerns. Governments want to ensure that their citizens' data is protected from potential risks posed by foreign governments. For example, Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok recently announced plans to move American citizens' private data to cloud servers in the United States to mitigate the risk of foreign government access. This trend is not limited to the United States, as Vietnam has also recently imposed data localisation regulations.

While data localisation measures aim to enhance data security, they come at a cost. Increased costs for companies and barriers to free trade are some of the potential implications highlighted by experts. Moreover, data localisation can hinder the performance of technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing, which rely on access to a diverse range of data.

To address these challenges, experts argue for a broader concept of digital sovereignty that goes beyond data localisation. One approach is to give users greater control over their own data. This can be achieved through technical controls such as user-controlled encryption keys. By allowing users to retain control of their cryptographic keys, organizations can ensure that their data remains secure and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

There are several methods to implement user-controlled encryption keys. "Bring Your Own Key" allows customers to generate their own cryptographic keys and import them to the cloud for data decryption. "Hold Your Own Key" takes this a step further by ensuring that cryptographic keys are always in the hands of the customer. Any access requests from cloud service providers or third parties must be approved by the customer based on the context of the request. "Bring Your Own Encryption" involves encrypting data before it enters the cloud and uploading the encrypted data. These approaches empower users to protect their data and maintain control over its access and decryption.

The importance of user-controlled encryption keys has been recognized by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). In a landmark ruling, the CJEU stated that appropriate safeguards and enforceable rights must be in place before data is transferred from Europe to the US. This further underscores the need for digital sovereignty measures that prioritize user control and data protection.

By embracing the principles of digital sovereignty, countries can create a trusted and integrated internet ecosystem. This will enable the development of more efficient and citizen-centric public services, such as healthcare research that relies on the analysis of extensive data sets. It will also foster innovation by ensuring that organizations have the confidence to share data and collaborate on groundbreaking solutions.

Digital sovereignty is not about fragmenting the internet, but rather about creating a secure and integrated digital landscape. By empowering users with control over their data through user-controlled encryption keys, countries can strike a balance between data protection and innovation. Embracing digital sovereignty will pave the way for a trusted and interconnected internet that benefits individuals, organizations, and societies as a whole.