Session
Organizer 1: Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Organizer 3: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 4: Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Eastern European Group
Organizer 3: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 4: Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 1: Alisa Heaver, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Dina Santana Santos, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Thokozile Precious Miya, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 4: Pranav Bhaskar Tiwari, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Dina Santana Santos, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Thokozile Precious Miya, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 4: Pranav Bhaskar Tiwari, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Format
Theater
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The theater-style room layout is best suited for my session proposal because it aligns perfectly with the format and goals of the activity. The session is designed to deliver focused, informative content to a large audience, and the theater setup ensures all participants face the speaker or presentation, minimizing distractions and enhancing engagement. This layout accommodates a significant number of attendees efficiently, making it ideal for structured, time-bound sessions like panel discussions or keynote speeches
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The theater-style room layout is best suited for my session proposal because it aligns perfectly with the format and goals of the activity. The session is designed to deliver focused, informative content to a large audience, and the theater setup ensures all participants face the speaker or presentation, minimizing distractions and enhancing engagement. This layout accommodates a significant number of attendees efficiently, making it ideal for structured, time-bound sessions like panel discussions or keynote speeches
Policy Question(s)
1. How can nations in the Global South reduce their dependency on foreign digital infrastructure and reclaim control over their digital ecosystems?
2. What international regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure that Big Tech companies operate equitably in emerging markets?
3. How can local innovations and policies be leveraged to promote digital sovereignty and inclusive growth in the Global South?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics between Big Tech and the Global South, including the challenges of digital dependency and data ownership. They will leave with actionable insights into policy frameworks, local innovation strategies, and international cooperation models that can help nations in the Global South assert their digital sovereignty and build resilient digital economies.
Description:
This panel discussion will critically examine the growing influence of Big Tech companies in the Global South (Africa, Latin America, and Asia), questioning whether their dominance constitutes a form of digital colonialism. The session will explore how reliance on US/EU-based digital infrastructure, data policies, and platforms often limits local control and autonomy in the Global South. Key topics include the ownership of data, the erosion of digital sovereignty, and the need for international regulations to ensure equitable participation in the digital economy. The panel will also highlight strategies for fostering local innovation and policy frameworks that empower nations in the Global South to reclaim their digital futures. Many tech giants dominate digital infrastructure, content, and data policies in developing countries. Are they empowering these nations or exploiting them? This session will explore whether Big Tech’s influence in Africa, Latin America, and Asia is modern digital colonialism and how countries can reclaim digital sovereignty through local innovations and policies.
This panel discussion will critically examine the growing influence of Big Tech companies in the Global South (Africa, Latin America, and Asia), questioning whether their dominance constitutes a form of digital colonialism. The session will explore how reliance on US/EU-based digital infrastructure, data policies, and platforms often limits local control and autonomy in the Global South. Key topics include the ownership of data, the erosion of digital sovereignty, and the need for international regulations to ensure equitable participation in the digital economy. The panel will also highlight strategies for fostering local innovation and policy frameworks that empower nations in the Global South to reclaim their digital futures. Many tech giants dominate digital infrastructure, content, and data policies in developing countries. Are they empowering these nations or exploiting them? This session will explore whether Big Tech’s influence in Africa, Latin America, and Asia is modern digital colonialism and how countries can reclaim digital sovereignty through local innovations and policies.
Expected Outcomes
1. A comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by digital colonialism and actionable strategies for addressing them.
2. Policy recommendations for national governments and international organizations to regulate Big Tech’s influence and promote digital sovereignty.
3. A call to action for fostering local innovation and building resilient digital ecosystems in the Global South.
4. Potential follow-up events or collaborations to advance the dialogue on digital equity and governance.
Hybrid Format: There will be two moderators, Onsite and Online Moderators: The moderators will ensure that both online and onsite participants are actively engaged. Time will be allocated specifically for online questions and comments, creating a balanced dialogue between both groups. Tools like Mentimeter will be used to collect participants' feedback to ensure their inputs are well taken into consideration.