India’s Digital Sovereignty: Balancing Control and Freedom in the Internet Age

In the dynamic landscape of the digital world, the concept of digital sovereignty has become increasingly significant for governments around the globe. India, with its rapidly expanding internet user base, is part of this dialogue, striving to assert control over its digital domain. Digital sovereignty refers to a nation’s ability to govern and regulate digital information within its borders. This concept is fundamental to India’s endeavors to manage its internet infrastructure and data. 

India’s pursuit of digital sovereignty involves a series of legal and technical measures aimed at maintaining data within the country. This initiative is seen as a way to enhance the government’s ability to oversee and protect its digital space. However, this drive has sparked debates about the balance between state control and individual freedoms, particularly concerning freedom of expression.

In a country known for its democratic values, internet freedom has sometimes been compromised in favor of security and control. A notable example is the frequent and prolonged internet shutdowns in Kashmir, which have drawn significant criticism. 

The Indian government is actively working on multiple fronts to tighten its grip on internet use. Central to this strategy are data localization laws, which mandate that data generated within India must be stored on local servers. This is intended to safeguard against foreign surveillance and cyber threats by keeping data under the jurisdiction of Indian laws.

Data localization has broader imp

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