Swiss Data Alliance publishes white paper on digital sovereignty

The Swiss Data Alliance, an independent think tank for data policy, has today published a white paper on the topic of digital sovereignty. The white paper lays the foundations for a social discourse on the digital future in Switzerland.

Christian Laux, co-author of the white paper, says: "It is up to us to shape Switzerland's digitalized future. This requires an active definition of our own values and a focus on what is important to us as Switzerland."

Digital sovereignty is an expression of the state's ability to act. It is required when digital processes have an impact on Swiss territory and Switzerland as a state is institutionally affected. Competence and control are key: who is responsible for controlling their own sphere of influence?

Digital sovereignty is at stake when it comes to the state as a whole. Everything else is about shaping everyday life. This is about individuals, companies and public authorities shaping their everyday lives within the framework of the freedom they are entitled to and the legal system. The question of who buys which software or whether open source software is used is the subject of everyday organization. Swiss cloud computing should not be equated with digital sovereignty either. However, digital sovereignty would be affected if a hacker attack paralyzed Swiss pumped storage plants.

The white paper states: "Sovereignty means shaping. Switzerland must define itself, its position and its scope for action in the digital world. This is a major task - and a great opportunity."

From the perspective of the Swiss Data Alliance , definition work is required, which must be developed pluralistically and in a broadly supported political process. The white paper does not make any political demands, but is intended as a framework for the debate. The Swiss Data Alliance is now contacting interest groups and inviting them to take part in the discussion.

Christian Laux and Jonas Bärtschi from the Swiss Data Alliance, Guido Greber and Tobias Abt from Accenture Switzerland, Lara Burkhalter from the Bern University of Applied Sciences and Paula Zimmermann from Laux Lawyers AG contributed to the white paper.