Is it time for Europe to step up and guarantee its digital sovereignty? Europe has long preferred a model of digital governance based on an open market in digital services combined with the protection of the rights and interests of citizens. Until now, the EU has acted largely as a regulator in the digital arena, but will this approach be sufficient over the coming decade? Surely those who create (and own) the technologies of the future will be the ones to set the standards and regulate their use?
If the EU wants to be able to enforce its approach, domestically and internationally, does it need to become a tech superpower? Would this enable Europe to reap economic and geopolitical benefits? And would continuing to rely on foreign tech giants will make the EU vulnerable and unable to enforce the rights of its citizens?
What do our readers think? We had a comment sent in from Craig, who wants the EU to develop strong digital sovereignty because “Europeans have too long been de facto dependent on the United States”, including in terms of big US tech companies.
Next up, Carmelo sent us a : “There should be a compromise between national and European sovereignty, but a country that chooses to join an economic and political union shouldn’t then cherry pick the benefits.” When it comes to developing digital sovereignty, what might be the things to watch out for in terms of “cherry picking”?
Peter argues that European digital sovereignty could, for example, “ensure a more balanced way between blind market faith and protectionism”. Could greater European digital sovereignty mean the EU can retain strong social protection (e.g. around privacy and consumer protection) and still encourage robust digital innovation?
To get a response, we put these comments and questions to:
- Julia Pohle, Research Fellow at the Research Group “Politics of Digitalisation” at the Berlin Social Science Center
- Johannes Bahrke, Coordinating Spokesperson for the digital economy, research and innovation at the European Commission
- Ben Wreschner, Chief Economist and Head of Public Affairs, Vodafone Group
How can Europe reach digital sovereignty? When it comes to developing digital sovereignty, what might be the things to watch out for in terms of “cherry picking”? Could greater European digital sovereignty mean the EU can retain strong social protection (e.g. around privacy and consumer protection) and still encourage robust digital innovation? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
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RE- a.m. EU/DE Statement:
“If the EU wants to be able to ENFORCE its APPROACH, domestically and internationally, does it need to become a (tech) superpower?
A: Sorry, you are disqualified!
The way “they” express and plan the future of 27 sovereign nations – should scare everyone!
Why not invite the supporting two front runners of the USE poll- Germany 30% & France 28%- to enter into serious high-level talks to unite & form an infant terrible sovereign USE?
Isn’t minority support enough & the common way to go in the EU to ENFORCE their will on the other 25 nations & their voters?
Accordingly, to me- the present EU schemers should never succeed to become more than an economic supranational entity.
As such- please get on with economics- not pronouncements & rhetoric. And please stop selling any European supranational strategic assets to anyone- be it China, Russia, the Mafia, or the devil.
Enough superyachts floating on the oceans and trapped in scrapyards already!
And on my Views and opinions:
Equally: Neither I nor the granting authority can be held responsible for my opinions!
Yes, Europe needs to have digital sovereignty.
Using US tech services and sharing with them too much data, even with all the “data privacy shields” kind of agreements, is not what Europe should do. We must encourage, invest itno and promore local solutions, which can be partly based on US tech but built and managed locally.
If you ask Europeans to name a few apps or digital services – I bet you will have only the US big names in response 🤷♂️
If anything digital sovereignity to me would mean a digital supportive of society. I still have to see the birth of a digital culture worthy of it’s name. Digital sovereignity would mean to beat the current hegemonic digital culture, which is binded with capitalism, to play down the leading digital companies of today. Today it’s to me a matter of coping with these digital powers and capitalist power, coping with instead of resigning to, accustomed to.