Sovereign and Sustainable Infrastructure Powered by Open Standards and Open-Source

Abstract

This study sheds light on the role of open technologies for alternative democratic governance of digital assets. The argument recognizes the importance of Open Data, Open Source Software and Open Hardware for a just, fair, sustainable and future-proof digitalisation aiming at an emancipatory attitude equalizing power asymmetries over technology. The paper elaborates on how regulation, standards and public policies represent valuable instruments for effective interventions in a process of deep and structural reorganization of how value is produced and owned in the digital age. In particular, the study dives into into the intersection of standards and interoperability, exploring with a critical view the public policies promoting open technologies by different countries in the European Union. As conclusion, the paper lists five policy recommendations for a for a robust, perennial and sustainable commitment from public and private actors depending on open technologies.