Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Most Authoritative of Them All? Cyber Sovereignty from a Critical Perspective

Authors

  • Carmen Moldovan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54148/ELTELJ.2024.2.41

Keywords:

cyberspace, digital environment, access to information, state control

Abstract

The paper aims to highlight the conflict between the idea of state control over the Internet and the impact on freedom of expression and access to information and to challenge the state-driven regulatory model. The doctrine of cyber sovereignty, as advocated by China and Russia, is an example of such control in the absence of international legally binding regulation. First, the special features of cyberspace as a sui generis phenomenon are presented, as well as the attempts of the United Nations to create a legal framework for this special environment. Second, the digital perspective of the right to access information is analysed, followed by the meaning of the principle of state sovereignty and the impact on the digital space, especially its fragmentation. Addressing this conflict is crucial to safeguarding fundamental rights in the digital empire, divided between the doctrine of human rights, the idea of open space and the control of information supported by authoritative regimes.

Author Biography

Carmen Moldovan

Dr Carmen Moldovan PhD, Associate Professor, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Faculty of Law. ORCID iD: 0009-0002-7470-8557.

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Published

2025-01-20

Issue

Section

Symposium