Abstract

The Author examines the meaning of «digital sovereignty», exploring the reasons why public power has not regulated new virtual spaces so far, letting instead privates, like social networks’ providers, make their own rules. Nowadays times have changed, and public power needs to reclaim its role in the regulation of virtual life in a framework where there are multiple levels of rules which correspond to as many expressions of power. Especially the European Union should adopt appropriate legal instruments in order to affirm its leadership towards China and U.S.A.