Between Sovereignty and Commons: Legal Frameworks for Digital Data Governance in India

Authors

Anushka SachanFollow

Abstract

This legislative note critically examines the Indian Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, with a focus on its provisions that imply data sovereignty and their implications for the governance of digital commons. Drawing on the seminal works on data commons, the note explores the conceptual and practical tensions between centralised data sovereignty, participatory, and decentralised models of data stewardship. While data sovereignty is often justified on grounds of national security and control, it may inadvertently hinder the development of inclusive and accountable frameworks for managing data as a public good.

Recommended Citation

Sachan, Anushka (2025) "Between Sovereignty and Commons: Legal Frameworks for Digital Data Governance in India," Journal of Law and Public Policy: Vol. 9: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at: https://repository.nls.ac.in/jlpp/vol9/iss1/9