Pablo Chavez discusses the concept of digital solidarity as an alternative to digital sovereignty policies, exploring policies falling under digital sovereignty, the evolution of the term, and the State Department's strategy. The conversation delves into the importance of personal data privacy, online therapy services, AI sovereignty, and information control, as well as the complexities of AI sovereignty with examples from France and Australia.
Digital Solidarity promotes inclusive international cyber diplomacy as an alternative to Digital Sovereignty's strict control approach.
The State Department's strategy emphasizes cooperation to bridge global perspectives on digital governance challenges.
Deep dives
Digital Sovereignty vs. Digital Solidarity
Digital Sovereignty, championed by countries like China, advocates for strict control over digital domains, promoting censorship and restricting free information flow. In contrast, the US State Department's strategy introduces Digital Solidarity, focusing on international cyber diplomacy with a more inclusive approach. This new strategy aims to find a middle ground between the free and open internet promoted by the US and the strict control model of China, aligning with European countries adopting digital sovereignty concepts.
Evolution of Digital Sovereignty Concept
Digital Sovereignty has been historically debated, with the US promoting an open internet for commerce and free expression, whereas China advocates for strict control within geographic boundaries, implementing censorship and data restrictions. European countries have also adopted elements of digital sovereignty, emphasizing independence from global tech influences. The evolving concept of digital sovereignty raises questions about navigating global digital environments to ensure data control and security.
Paradigm Shift Towards Digital Solidarity
Pablo Chárez discusses moving from traditional US digital foreign policy to a new era of digital solidarity, emphasizing cooperation and inclusivity in shaping international cyber policies. The State Department's strategy highlights the importance of engaging various countries in a structured manner, aiming to bridge differing perspectives on digital governance. This paradigm shift recognizes the complexities of digital sovereignty and seeks to find collaborative solutions in a diverse digital landscape.
Challenges and Opportunities in Implementation
The implementation of the State Department's strategy faces challenges in balancing competition with cooperation, especially in the cloud computing sector. Managing partnerships and prioritizing joint ventures with allies, while navigating the competitive tech market, presents complexities. Aligning private sector initiatives with digital solidarity principles poses operational and strategic considerations, urging a cohesive approach to realizing the vision of a trusted, open, and secure digital ecosystem.
The recently released International Cyberspace and Digital Strategy focuses on building digital solidarity as an alternative to digital sovereignty policies. Lawfare's Fellow in Technology Policy and Law, Eugenia Lostri, spoke with Pablo Chavez, Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Center for a New American Security’s Technology and National Security Program. Pablo first promoted the idea of digital solidarity in a Lawfare article in 2022. They talked about the range of policies that can fall under the digital sovereignty category, how digital solidarity offers an alternative position, and the evolution of the term from his 2022 article to the international strategy.