Digital Policy

The increasing digitization of transnational commerce and innovation has raised new concerns about the existing frameworks on issues such as data protection, privacy, freedom of speech, artificial intelligence, taxation, trade, intellectual property, and competition. Digital issues touch much of day-to-day life and have the potential to cause disputes with major consequences, as domestic legislation now has far-reaching international effects. In an era of great power competition, governments are competing to create a model of digitalization that can become the global “gold standard.” The Atlantic Council aims to position itself as a critical facilitator of dialogue for the coordination of common standards for advancement in the digital realm.

Content

In the News

Apr 2, 2020

Sherman in Lawfare: Unpacking TikTok, Mobile Apps and National Security Risks

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy National Security
AI Policy Primer 2020 Peter

Issue briefs and reports

Mar 27, 2020

AI, society and governance: An introduction

By Peter Engelke

AI’s increasing range of applications are having real-world consequences, both positive and negative. Those consequences, in turn, have animated spirited and at times emotional debates about how governments can craft policies to come to grips with a world increasingly shaped by AI.

China Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2020

First privacy, now data: The EU seeks a managed digital space

By Frances Burwell

On February 19, the European Commission launched a major regulatory initiative aimed at creating a transformational digital economy in Europe. Given the close integration of the US and European Union (EU) economies—including in the digital sphere—this European initiative is likely to have a significant impact on US companies and consumers.

Digital Policy European Union

In the News

Mar 2, 2020

Lindsay in Fast Company: How to design a smart city

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Feb 21, 2020

Putting privacy limits on national security mass surveillance: The European Court of Justice intervenes

By Kenneth Propp

In a little-noticed set of opinions issued on January 15, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) put forward a bold and unprecedented proposition—mass surveillance conducted by European Union (EU) member state national security services should operate within the bounds of the Union’s privacy laws.

Digital Policy European Union

Issue Brief

Feb 18, 2020

The next phase of digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: 2020 and beyond

By Frances Burwell, Jörn Fleck

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) possess fundamental strengths that uniquely position the region to capitalize on the next wave of digitalization – solid education systems, a large talent pool of “STEM” graduates, widely adopted digitally enabled services, and fewer technology legacies. But, these advantages alone do not mean that Central and Eastern […]

Central Europe Digital Policy

In the News

Feb 12, 2020

Countering misinformation in an expanding media landscape

By Atlantic Council

Dr. David Bray, Director of the Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center, and other expert panelists considered the changing landscape of misinformation on an episode DisrupTV hosted by Mr. R "Ray" Wang and Mr. Vala Afshar of Constellation Research.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy
gtc abstract pattern of black and white tiles that curve

In the News

Jan 23, 2020

Data governance, trends, and challenges for 2020

By Atlantic Council

As part of a CxOTalk episode, inaugural director of the Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center Dr. David Bray and GeoTech Senior Fellow Amy Webb discuss what public and private sector leaders need to know about data for the future ahead. This discussion was prior to the COVID-19, and Dr. Bray - who had been traveling and work extensively for the planned launch of the GeoTech Center later in March - focused on why is data so Important in 2020? Both Ms. Webb and Dr. Bray highlighted the challenges of data literacy for leaders and managers, as well the challenges of national and international jurisdictions in terms of data governance.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Congressional Relations

Jan 15, 2020

Congressional hearing – “US-Iran tensions: implications for homeland security”

By Atlantic Council

The Committee meeting examined the homeland security implications of the recent escalation in US-Iran tensions in the wake of the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Witnesses were given time to present opening statements to address possible retaliation followed by questions posed by committee members. Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas S. Warrick presented four ways in which Iran threatens the homeland: terrorism, cyber-attacks, disinformation, and influence operations. Warrick underscored the imminent threat posed by Iranian cyber-attacks, “Mr. Chairman, the possibility of a terrorist attack by Iran here in the homeland is that, a possibility, but cyber-attacks are a certainty.”

Defense Policy Digital Policy

Blog Post

Dec 19, 2019

Digital tax talks continue as trade threats rise

By Jörn Fleck, Alex Pieter Baker

Digital service taxes are one of the primary wedge issues in a larger transatlantic divide over digital policy. A tangible measure for politicians and the public alike, they could become one of the primary catalysts for the new European Commission’s quest for digital sovereignty.

Digital Policy European Union

Experts

Events