Data sovereignty: A review

Abstract

New data-driven technologies yield benefits and potentials, but also confront different agents and stakeholders with challenges in retaining control over their data. Our goal in this study is to arrive at a clear picture of what is meant by data sovereignty in such problem settings. To this end, we review 341 publications and analyze the frequency of different notions such as data sovereignty, digital sovereignty, and cyber sovereignty. We go on to map agents they concern, in which context they appear, and which values they allude to. While our sample reveals a considerable degree of divergence and an occasional lack of clarity about intended meanings of data sovereignty, we propose a conceptual grid to systematize different dimensions and connotations. Each of them relates in some way to meaningful control, ownership, and other claims to data articulated by a variety of agents ranging from individuals to countries. Data sovereignty alludes to a nuanced mixture of normative concepts such as inclusive deliberation and recognition of the fundamental rights of data subjects.

Data Co-Operatives through Data Sovereignty

“…Discussions on smart cities and recent literature on data governance and [100,101], more broadly, digital economy, society, and citizenship are already employing concepts, including data co-operatives [11,17,52,53,66,78,83,84], data sovereignty [12,18,19,46,49,50,65,68,78], data colonialism [21,80,82], and data devolution [14,20,22,69,71] (Figure 1). This article articulates this intertwined relationship by suggesting a more distinct interrelated conceptual angle that could be seen as an emerging trend in the field of smart cities [102].…”

“…By describing these intertwined relationships between data co-operatives [11], data sovereignty [12], and the 'People-Centred Smart Cities' approach [13], this article-as shown in Figure 1-addresses several technopolitical discussions by providing a systematic angle and offering a thorough literature review about each of these notions to prove that outlined statements remain valid and relevant [14]. At the end of the article, the cityregional dimension is prospectively anticipated as the next step to be considered in the future development of the 'People-Centred Smart Cities' approach [15].…”

The curious absence of cybernationalism in Latin America: Lessons for the study of digital sovereignty and governance

“…Data sovereignty alludes to a nuanced mixture of normative concepts such as inclusive deliberation and recognition of the fundamental rights of data subjects (Hummel et al, 2021). It has become a central legal and political issue as a response to corporate accumulation and monetization of personal data as well as surveillance (Zuboff, 2019).…”

Europäische Dateninfrastrukturen

“…Die Daten vieler einzelner Akteure bieten also großes Potenzial für Mehrwert für die Allgemeinheit und durch einen verbesserten Service auch für das Individuum. Gleichzeitig sind aber die Interessen des Einzelnen am Datenaustausch, der Nutzung der Daten durch Dritte und in Bezug auf Anonymität der eigenen Person zu wahren [12].…”

“…Der Begriff der Datensouveränität erfährt zurzeit viel Aufmerksamkeit, und es hat sich eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Interpretationen herausgebildet (etwa als Gesetz oder als Recht) [12]. In Verbindung mit Datenräumen und Dateninfrastrukturen bezeichnet Datensouveränität die Fähigkeit einer juristischen oder natürlichen Person zur Selbstbestimmung über ihre Datengüter [21] GAIA-X wurde von der deutschen und der französischen Regierung initiiert.…”