Digital Self-Determination

At Lenotra, we have placed "Digital Self-Determination" at the center of our activities and talk about it a lot. What is it, then, the...

Digital Self-Determination?

Digital Self-Determination means that people can decide for themselves how they use digital devices and their data. They maintain control over their personal data and protect their digital identity.

Digital Self-Determination requires Digital Integrity. Both are part of Digital Sovereignty.

This means the ability to control data, systems, and technologies yourself and not to be dependent on others.

Definitions (simplified) & Checklists

Digital Self-Determination

1. Responsible use of digital technologies
2. Control over personal digital data and identity
3. Protection of Digital Integrity as a foundation

Source: Swiss Data Alliance, https://www.swissdataalliance.ch/en/publikationen/whitepaper-digitale-souveraenitaet

Digital Integrity

1. Maintaining the integrity and authenticity of digital data
2. Protecting against data manipulation and identity theft.
3. The right to be forgotten, an offline life, not being judged by a machine, information security, not being monitored, measured, and analyzed, and protection from the use of data without consent that affects digital life
   -> see the Fundamental Right to Digital Integrity

Sources (translated): Netzwerk SDS, https://netzwerksds.ch/ & Grundrecht auf Digitale Integrität, https://digitale-integritaet.ch/

Digital Sovereignty

1. Control over one's own data and IT systems, protection of digital infrastructure
2. Less dependence on foreign providers
3. Promotion of open source technologies

Source (translated): Berner Fachhochschule, https://www.bfh.ch/de/forschung/forschungsprojekte/2023-108-895-420/

But how?

Achieving Digital Sovereignty as an individual, but also as a company, is very challenging. In some parts, it seems to be barely possible. Especially because the variety of terms alone can be enormously challenging. But that shouldn't stop you from formulating your own demands and working to make them a reality. It is worth starting with small steps.

For example, if we look at the checklist for Digital Self-Determination again, we can derive the importance for us and simple steps from it:

Your efforts to improve your Digital Self-Determination will result in you having more control over your data and digital identity, which will better protect your privacy.

You also gain security and freedom in the digital space. You simultaneously strengthen Digital Integrity and promote Digital Sovereignty on an individual and societal level. This is fundamental for a self-determined, secure, and competitive digital society.

Strengthening digital Self-Determination allows you to decide for yourself what information you share. It also supports independence from large corporations and enables better use of digital innovations.

I wish you much success and instructive moments on your path to digital self-determination!

Continue your learning journey

Explore related resources to learn more about digital self-determination and privacy protection.