publication

Digital persona and transnational regulation of cyberspace

Authors:
Nina KIDERLIN
Shirin BAROL
2026

This chapter examines the geopolitical challenges of privacy regulation in the context of transnational data flows. It explores how global technology companies utilise cyberspace to monetise personal data, often bypassing national regulatory frameworks. The chapter highlights tensions between domestic privacy laws and international data exchange, emphasising conflicts over digital sovereignty. It discusses surveillance capitalism and tracking technologies, raising ethical concerns about user privacy. The concept of a "digital persona" is proposed as a framework for balancing regulation across jurisdictions. We argue for international cooperation to create interoperable privacy standards, integrating VPN-enabled jurisdictional "hopping". Ultimately, it calls for reimagining legal frameworks to integrate transnational and digital sovereignty perspectives for more sustainable, inclusive privacy regulation.