A sovereign state possesses the power to exercise autonomy over its territory through institutions and norms, independent of external interference. However, this traditional definition of sovereignty is intimately related to the authority over a physical territory. Does it still stand in the 21st century, an age marked by vast, interconnected networks of power? If so, how will states maintain sovereignty in the digital sphere?

State and Internet 

Over the past few decades, the Internet has become an increasingly important part of everyday life, making tasks and even thought processes easier. Various systems are migrating to the digital world, where the possibilities are almost limitless; but it is exactly this limitless amount of possibilities that can directly undermine state power:

1. When digital tools are used to directly challenge state authority. On one hand, this can provide more political accountability and transparency, such as when government platforms are hacked to expose classified documents about corruption. On the other hand, this places national security at risk. In October 2025, a Russian cybercrime group breached Dobb Group, a UK Ministry of Defence contractor, stealing approximately 4TB of data including details of RAF and Royal Navy bases that were later published on the dark web. 
2. When digital tools are used to hurt citizens’ rights under an obscured identity. For instance, if a public figure suffers with death threats online from an individual in another country, it is difficult for the state to assist victims or demand compliance with the law. Another interesting case to examine is big tech corporations, which operate in various territories but sometimes refuse to comply with local law. Such a situation happened when X activities were suspended in Brazil after the company did not follow legal demands to have a representative in the territory representing them in the allegations of the obstruction of justice.

In these ways, the Internet acts as a double-edged sword, both facilitating and hurting political development. 

New Dilemma: Freedom of Expression, Laws, and the Internet

The examples mentioned above illustrate another dilemma: even when users, individuals, or companies are attacked online by predatory messages, the responsibility to take legal action clashes with the freedom of expression on online platforms. In some cases, attacks on certain political figures or groups is a way to “force” justice by drawing attention to a certain topic. In other instances, they can fundamentally violate rights or raise safety concerns. 

The debate about sovereignty in the digital environment invites us to reflect about a balance between freedom and supervision. The absence of regulation could risk individual and public safety, but the interconnectedness and anonymity of the Internet also seems to invite a baseline of freedom. 

In some ways, this debate echoes traditional debates about the role of the state: how much should states interfere in individual lives, and when do we decide it has breached the social contract? In the 21st century, states seeking legitimacy must navigate these issues and devise balanced regulations with caution. 

References

Nash, Hazel Ann. "Sovereign state." EBSCO Research Starters. 2023. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/law/sovereign-state.

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). "Significant Cyber Incidents." Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Accessed November 23, 2025. https://www.csis.org/programs/strategic-technologies-program/significant-cyber-incidents.

Vitor Tavarea. "Moraes determina bloqueio do X no Brasil após Elon Musk descumprir decisão judicial." BBC News Brasil. Accessed November 23, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/c4gz28359d4o.