In September 2024, UN Member States adopted the Global Digital Compact (GDC) to “harness the immense potential of digital technology and close digital divides”. The GDC highlights digital public goods and digital public infrastructure as key drivers of inclusive digital transformation and innovation. The GDC furthermore includes a commitment to increase investment and funding towards the development of digital public goods and digital public infrastructure, especially in developing countries.

The influence of global tech companies is growing across the political, social and economic realms. The business model of tech companies is underpinned by data, particularly data collected on their platforms’ users. Platform economics, which optimize the capture of users’ attention, leave open considerable risks for manipulation of the information space by mis- and disinformation campaigns. How can we safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms at stake?