Digital sovereignty has been a hot topic over the past several weeks, with data sovereignty and AI sovereignty being the subjects of such conversations. However, how does digital agency fit into the mix? With IT Specialist, Researcher and Digital Analyst, Matthew Cowen, we discuss digital sovereignty and digital agency, including: Could digital sovereignty lead to increased fragmentation of the internet? How can we balance the need for individual digital agency with the need for online safety and security? How do the goals of digital sovereignty and digital agency intersect or conflict? Can a country achieve digital sovereignty without respecting the digital agency of its citizens?

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

As we become increasingly data-aware, matters related to the control of and the rights to data have emerged. The owners of data have rights and responsibilities, but so do entities that collect the data and have some control over the data.

In the Caribbean region, digital sovereignty has been a growing issue, especially in light of the ongoing geopolitical manoeuvrings that have been occurring globally, which are likely to become more frequent and destabilising. Arguments are thus being made for Caribbean governments to adopt the principles of digital sovereignty so that government data is stored in the region and not in the cloud or in servers in other jurisdictions over which they do not control.

On the other hand, every citizen has agency, and regarding their personal data, some rights and protections have been established in law. However, can digital agency be at odds with digital sovereignty? That question, among others, is discussed in our latest podcast episode.

 

Introducing our guest

Matthew Cowen

Matthew Cowen is an IT veteran who has been based in Martinique for 20 years and has over 30 years of experience in the industry. He specialises in researching the digital ecosystems of the Caribbean. He founded a boutique consultancy called dgtlfutures that helps micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) develop and implement digital transformation strategies and works closely with companies digitalising their operations chain.

Matthew is also involved in Internet Governance in the region and is an ARIN Fellow. He authors a newsletter called The Future is Digital, which you can find on his site, matthewcowen.org, along with a regularly updated blog on his current work. Matthew also teaches various tech-related subjects at the degree and master’s levels in three further education establishments in Martinique.

 

Insights into our conversation

Digital sovereignty and digital agency are topics that are not commonly discussed, but as internet users and the owners of personal data, at the very least, we ought to recognise our own agency: the control we have, and consequently, the onus that might be on us to say how, when, where and under what circumstances our data can be used.

At the same time, governments have an obligation to their citizens to keep citizen data safe, whilst also balancing other imperatives. However, the unifying force that the internet was initially envisaged to be is increasingly giving way to exercises of power and control by nation-states and large corporations.

This conversation with Matthew does not result in simple or pat answers, but one thing is clear: Caribbean countries and citizens must understand their power and responsibilities in the digital realm, especially since the internet has become an arena that increasingly others wish to control. Below are the main questions that drive this episode’s discussion.

  1. How would you differentiate between digital sovereignty and digital agency?
  2. What specific aspects of the digital realm should a country have sovereign control over?
  3. How can individuals and communities be empowered to exercise greater digital agency?
  4. Could digital sovereignty lead to increased fragmentation of the internet?
  5. How can we balance the need for individual digital agency with the need for online safety and security?
  6. How do the goals of digital sovereignty and digital agency intersect or conflict?
  7. Can a country achieve digital sovereignty without respecting the digital agency of its citizens?
  8. How can individuals protect their own digital agency in the face of powerful corporations and governments?

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Images credits:Images credit:  M Cowen;  wirestock (Freepik);  Freepik; Pete Linforth (Pixabay)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez