Data Sovereignty in Practice

Data sovereignty has become a defining governance challenge of the digital age. As data becomes the foundation for digital infrastructure, machine learning systems, public services, scientific discovery and economic competitiveness, questions of who controls it, who benefits and who is accountable for its use have become increasingly urgent. Yet the concept of data sovereignty remains contested. Governments, individuals, indigenous groups, technology companies, regional and multilateral blocs and others define it differently, shaped by technical considerations, related issues such as privacy and consent, and distinct historical experiences. Each position reflects a valid, nuanced perspective, but none is sufficient on its own. This paper is developed by the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Data Frontiers.