DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY AND GLOBAL DATA FLOWS

AUTHOR– AJAY PRATAP SINGH, STUDENT AT AMITY UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – AJAY PRATAP SINGH, DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY AND GLOBAL DATA FLOWS, ILE MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 3 (1) OF 2024, PG. 136-140, APIS – 3920-0007 | ISSN – 2583-7230.

Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected digital world, the balance between digital sovereignty and global data flows has become a critical legal and policy issue. Digital sovereignty refers to a nation’s ability to control and protect data within its borders, particularly concerning privacy, national security, and economic interests. At the same time, global data flows are essential for international trade, commerce, and innovation. This paper explores the legal frameworks that govern the relationship between digital sovereignty and global data transfers, examining key regulations such as the GDPR and CCPA, as well as mechanisms like Standard Contractual Clauses and Binding Corporate Rules that aim to ensure compliance across jurisdictions. It further analyses conflicts between varying national data protection laws, using case studies like Facebook’s data transfers between the EU and the U.S., and highlights the need for international cooperation to mitigate these conflicts. The paper concludes by recommending the establishment of a global data protection framework, enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and the adoption of flexible compliance mechanisms to harmonize data protection laws while supporting open, secure data flows.

Keywords: Digital sovereignty, global data flows, GDPR, CCPA, data protection laws.