Digital sovereignty
Why digital sovereignty is more than just legal compliance
What does digital sovereignty mean?
Hardly any other term has been redefined and reinterpreted as often in the digital political debate of recent years as „digital sovereignty“. Interpretations range from the use of open-source software to franchise agreements with technology companies whose business model is based on dependence on proprietary software. This diversity of interpretations allows companies to use the term as a figurehead, but makes it difficult for governments, institutions, companies and individuals to rationally evaluate digital offerings.
This article aims to demystify the concept of digital sovereignty, shed light on its various dimensions, and create a framework for evaluating digital offerings beyond buzzwords.
What is sovereignty?
At its core, sovereignty means „supreme authority within a territory“ (Philpott, 2020). In the digital age, this concept extends to resources such as human infrastructure and digital processes.
Back in 2018, the Digital Summit defined digital sovereignty as follows:
„The ability to use and design digital systems, self-determination over aggregated and stored data, and over the associated processes.“
In order to promote digital sovereignty, we need to take a closer look at its dimensions.
The dimensions of digital sovereignty
- Legal dimension
Digital sovereignty encompasses the ability to define and enforce rules for digital solutions. One example of this is the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which aims to ensure transparency and control over personal data. However, challenges such as the Schrems II ruling and dependencies on non-European cloud providers show how important it is to go beyond mere legal compliance.
Franchise agreements with local operators attempt to solve these problems, but often fail to ensure genuine self-determination and transparency. - freedom of choice
Technological dependencies often arise from proprietary interfaces and platforms. This makes it difficult to switch providers, as the costs of switching are often prohibitively high. Open standards and open-source software can reduce such dependencies, as they enable interoperability and flexibility. - Technological dimension
Proprietary licences and vendor lock-ins restrict technological self-determination. Open-source software provides a basis for technological sovereignty through transparency, peer review and adaptability. However, this requires active communities and expertise in order to be used sustainably. - competence dimension
Software alone is not enough – skills are needed to operate it securely and to a high standard. Building and sharing knowledge is therefore crucial. As with the open-source movement, operational knowledge must also be shared more openly in order to strengthen resilience and achieve true digital sovereignty.
The role of the Sovereign Cloud Stack (SCS)
The Sovereign Cloud Stack puts digital sovereignty into practice by combining open standards, open-source implementations and transparent operating practices. It simplifies the provision of secure, high-quality cloud services, reduces dependencies and promotes collaboration.
Important contributions to digital sovereignty
Open standards
SCS defines and supports open, certifiable standards to ensure interoperability and avoid vendor lock-in.
open source
With the principles of the „Four Opens“, SCS ensures transparency, adaptability and long-term sustainability.
knowledge sharing
SCS fosters a culture of knowledge sharing to strengthen the collective ability to deliver sovereign solutions.
Bibliography
- Oppenheim, L. (1912). International Law. A Treatise. Volume I.
- Philpott, D. (2020). Sovereignty. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- Digital Summit. (2018). Digital sovereignty in a networked society.
- Riehle, D. (2013). The Unstoppable Rise of Open Source. IT Information Technology.