About this publication
Digital sovereignty refers to the capacity of a state or political community to exercise effective control and authority over its data, digital infrastructure, services, and the rules governing the digital domain, while retaining the ability to make independent decisions free from undue external dependence or interference.
The European Union's decision in December 2023 to award a €41 million contract for the development of the Simpl cloud platform illustrates the practical pursuit of digital sovereignty. Designed to connect European data spaces, Simpl enables data providers to retain control over who can access and use their data, thereby strengthening Europe's ability to govern critical digital resources and infrastructure according to its own regulatory and strategic priorities.
Digital sovereignty is closely linked to national security, societal resilience, and political autonomy. Control over data, digital infrastructure, and digital services can significantly influence a state's exposure to external influence, its capacity to safeguard strategic interests, and its freedom of action within an increasingly interconnected digital environment.