Francesca Bria, a frequent and welcome guest on Friedrich-Ebert-stiftung panels, is here with us in Barcelona. She argues that a progressive strategy for digital democracy must place digital sovereignty at its heart. This is not just a matter of industrial competitiveness, national security and the defence of democracy, but also of protecting the state and society in the public interest. Too often, this point is not emphasised strongly enough in progressive debates, she says. This is because essential infrastructure and the supply chains of modern power are now concentrated in the hands of a tech oligarchy. These actors not only want to become even richer, but are also increasingly seeking to exercise political power and influence state functions in what Bria describes as the “privatisation of sovereignty”. -fw

Katrin Rulle

João Brant, a researcher from Brazil, is calling for clear rules for digital platforms that create equal opportunities for all, and highlights Spain’s commitment to multilateralism. Algorithms play a crucial role today – we need to understand them in order to develop fair rules. Right now, we are facing a largely unregulated power. Rules are not easy to apply but they are necessary. Algorithms should not be allowed to distort public debate, he warns, otherwise democracy risks taking a step backwards. Protecting women on social networks is an example of a specific, necessary protective measure. We need to move together to get further, Brant says. -nk

Katrin Rulle