News: UN organized the Summit of the Future and adopted the Global Digital Compact (GDC).
Need for multilateral as well as regional negotiations
Emphasize jurisdictional, regional, and local needs
Address the complexity of digital governance, as no single entity can fully capture it
Way Forward
Need for multilateral as well as regional negotiations
Emphasize jurisdictional, regional, and local needs
Address the complexity of digital governance, as no single entity can fully capture it
Openness may be limited by contractual requirements like non-disclosure, confidentiality, and protection of intellectual property
GDC adds little to existing frameworks of digital governance and relies on self-regulation by digital technology companies, which is not an optimal solution
Collection, sharing, and processing of data, particularly for AI, may amplify risks without effective personal data protection and privacy laws
The compact fails to address countervailing measures to deal with monopolistic control
The wording on “data flow with trust” in the compact contradicts the spirit of digital sovereignty
Way Forward
Need for multilateral as well as regional negotiations
Emphasize jurisdictional, regional, and local needs
Address the complexity of digital governance, as no single entity can fully capture it
Concerns
Openness may be limited by contractual requirements like non-disclosure, confidentiality, and protection of intellectual property
GDC adds little to existing frameworks of digital governance and relies on self-regulation by digital technology companies, which is not an optimal solution
Collection, sharing, and processing of data, particularly for AI, may amplify risks without effective personal data protection and privacy laws
The compact fails to address countervailing measures to deal with monopolistic control
The wording on “data flow with trust” in the compact contradicts the spirit of digital sovereignty
Way Forward
Need for multilateral as well as regional negotiations
Emphasize jurisdictional, regional, and local needs
Address the complexity of digital governance, as no single entity can fully capture it
Helps in bringing global cooperation in the governance of data and digital technologies
Resolves digital divide through digital public goods like open-source software, open data, and open AI models
Recognizes interoperable data governance for innovation and promotes economic growth
Provides a platform for best practices that can be adopted by other nations
Integrates private entities into the realm
Helps with capacity building and fosters South-South and North-South collaborations in the development of digital public goods
Concerns
Openness may be limited by contractual requirements like non-disclosure, confidentiality, and protection of intellectual property
GDC adds little to existing frameworks of digital governance and relies on self-regulation by digital technology companies, which is not an optimal solution
Collection, sharing, and processing of data, particularly for AI, may amplify risks without effective personal data protection and privacy laws
The compact fails to address countervailing measures to deal with monopolistic control
The wording on “data flow with trust” in the compact contradicts the spirit of digital sovereignty
Way Forward
Need for multilateral as well as regional negotiations
Emphasize jurisdictional, regional, and local needs
Address the complexity of digital governance, as no single entity can fully capture it
Significance
Helps in bringing global cooperation in the governance of data and digital technologies
Resolves digital divide through digital public goods like open-source software, open data, and open AI models
Recognizes interoperable data governance for innovation and promotes economic growth
Provides a platform for best practices that can be adopted by other nations
Integrates private entities into the realm
Helps with capacity building and fosters South-South and North-South collaborations in the development of digital public goods
Concerns
Openness may be limited by contractual requirements like non-disclosure, confidentiality, and protection of intellectual property
GDC adds little to existing frameworks of digital governance and relies on self-regulation by digital technology companies, which is not an optimal solution
Collection, sharing, and processing of data, particularly for AI, may amplify risks without effective personal data protection and privacy laws
The compact fails to address countervailing measures to deal with monopolistic control
The wording on “data flow with trust” in the compact contradicts the spirit of digital sovereignty
Way Forward
Need for multilateral as well as regional negotiations
Emphasize jurisdictional, regional, and local needs
Address the complexity of digital governance, as no single entity can fully capture it
What is GDC?
It is a non-binding law with a set of shared goals for governments, institutions, firms, and other stakeholders, resting on the idea that digitization is constantly changing the world, and there is a need to reap the benefits while guarding against serious flaws and concerns.
Goals
Close digital divide and foster inclusive participation
Improve access to data and digital technologies
Advance responsible and equitable data governance
Advance digital innovation in a sustainable fashion
Foster trustworthy technologies within a free and competitive market
Significance
Helps in bringing global cooperation in the governance of data and digital technologies
Resolves digital divide through digital public goods like open-source software, open data, and open AI models
Recognizes interoperable data governance for innovation and promotes economic growth
Provides a platform for best practices that can be adopted by other nations
Integrates private entities into the realm
Helps with capacity building and fosters South-South and North-South collaborations in the development of digital public goods
Concerns
Openness may be limited by contractual requirements like non-disclosure, confidentiality, and protection of intellectual property
GDC adds little to existing frameworks of digital governance and relies on self-regulation by digital technology companies, which is not an optimal solution
Collection, sharing, and processing of data, particularly for AI, may amplify risks without effective personal data protection and privacy laws
The compact fails to address countervailing measures to deal with monopolistic control
The wording on “data flow with trust” in the compact contradicts the spirit of digital sovereignty
Way Forward
Need for multilateral as well as regional negotiations
Emphasize jurisdictional, regional, and local needs
Address the complexity of digital governance, as no single entity can fully capture it
