Articles

Three actors, eight models: A relational lens on digital sovereignty

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Abstract

Digital sovereignty has gained popularity in various discourses. Political science usually refers to a nation’s control over its digital policies, infrastructure, and data. In Information Systems Research (ISR), the term usually refers to an organization’s control over its digital assets and operations. In Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), the concept refers to issues such as privacy, data protection, and personal autonomy on the Internet. This paper examines these multi-layered discourses through a relational lens and presents eight models of digital sovereignty based on the interplay between state, business, and individual actors. By analysing the ways in which digital sovereignty is ascribed and how the power relations between these levels are structured, the article provides a comprehensive understanding of the different approaches and the interactions between the different levels. It also illuminates the diverse discursive formations through which stakeholders articulate, negotiate, and enforce their claims to sovereignty within digital realms.

Keywords: Digital Sovereignty, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Systems, Relational Lens, Discurse Analysis

How to Cite:

Lawo, D., Stevens, G. & Berkholz, J., (2025) “Three actors, eight models: A relational lens on digital sovereignty”, communication +1 11(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/cpo.2158