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Technological sovereignty (38)

Digital information: a powerful tool

I am so glad that right now you are reading these lines. And I am not only referring to your attention, but also to the very existence of the internet. Think about how many things that we take for granted have to go right for you to be able to read my blog now. And even better, content creation, distribution, and consumption can all happen at different times. The Internet's gift has been to offer all of us free access to information—provided we have the means to connect, of course.

But is that really true? Do we actually have free access to any and all information we might desire? As always, the devil lies in the details, and no easy answers can be given to this question.

What is, however, clear is that information is not neutral. Information is a powerful currency, shaping both economic and geopolitical conflicts, so there is a clear agenda behind how it is distributed. Every time we consume information, we generate more—data about our preferences, behaviors, and identities—which can also be exploited. Given the power of information and the pervasiveness of the internet, it only makes sense that information will invariably be used as a weapon.

The centralized digital ecosystem

Understanding how powerful information is in our world today makes it even more imperative to ask whether we truly have free access to it. Let's unpack this question by examining the entire information chain. Usually, information is created by individual contributors (let’s say a European blogger 😋). But this is where private companies enter: the tools being used (Windows operating system, Android or Apple phones), the means to transport it (telecom providers), the storage (Amazon, Google, or Microsoft server rooms), and, most importantly, the algorithms that distribute it are all privately controlled. Even worse, all these stakeholders have close ties to each other, further reinforcing their hold on the flow of information.

These new internet czars thus wield immense power over our opinions and tastes. They can influence elections or decide which songs will become massive hits. It is imperative to challenge this concentration of power and decentralize our information ecosystem.

One potential solution is fostering competition in the digital space. To challenge the current model effectively, we need more companies managing online spaces. This includes cloud providers but, more importantly, also healthier and more transparent algorithms and social media platforms. This is why projects like creating a new made-in-EU transparent social network from a team in Luxembourg are so vital to maintain healthy and strong democracies. A truly sovereign nation depends on free access to information, so we better get to work! 


 

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