At this year’s re:publica, ClaimSov members Marielle Düh and Dr. Julia Pohle unpacked the term “digital sovereignty,” arguably one of the most hyped yet most misunderstood concepts in current digital policy. By conducting a « reality check » on five common myths, they reveal how the term is frequently used to justify contradictory political goals. Their talk offers a critical analysis of the concept’s multidimensional use in the European debate, where the protection of user rights frequently clashes with demands for state security and economic competitiveness.

They also examine its global interpretations, including how autocratic regimes such as China and Russia use the concept as a counter-model to Western multi-stakeholder governance in order to reinforce state control. At the same time, they warn against the rise of “sovereignty as a product,” highlighting how Big Tech’s “sovereign cloud” offerings may in fact deepen technological dependencies rather than reduce them.

Watch the video and test yourself: Can you correctly answer the questions in the « Digital Sovereignty Bullshit Bingo »?

More at re:publica or YouTube.