Data, Big Tech, and the New Concept of Sovereignty

Area of Science:

• Political Science
• Information Technology
• Socioeconomics

Background:

• The digital era is characterized by massive data generation and advanced computing.
• Big Tech companies have emerged as dominant forces in data management and application.
• The concept of sovereignty is being redefined in the face of technological advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the evolving role of Big Tech firms as data sovereigns.
• To examine the impact of Big Tech on traditional notions of state sovereignty.
• To explore the complex relationship between Big Tech and governments in the data era.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of Big Tech's influence on global order.
• Examination of data mining and application strategies by Big Tech.
• Literature review on digital sovereignty and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Main Results:

• Big Tech firms function as de facto data sovereigns, challenging state authority.
• These firms significantly influence global affairs through data control and ideological dissemination.
• A symbiotic, yet challenging, relationship exists between Big Tech and governments.

Conclusions:

• Big Tech's technical prowess deconstructs traditional sovereignty.
• The firms' data control positions them as new Leviathans in international relations.
• Understanding this dynamic is crucial for navigating the future global landscape.