Cybersecurity, European digital sovereignty and the 5G rollout crisis

Abstract

This article analyses the European Union's (EU) regulatory response to the 5G roll-out crisis in the context of its digital sovereignty policies with a specific focus on whether it complies with its international law commitments. Framing the broader cybersecurity policies with reference to EU sovereignty emphasises these policies’ significance in addressing the joint security interests of the EU Member States through coordination of national measures, even in areas that remain their sole responsibility. The security measures adopted in relation to the deployment of the fifth-generation mobile communication (5G) infrastructure played a significant role in reshaping cybersecurity policies in the EU adopted to achieve digital sovereignty. In a global context, these policies reflect the ambition of the EU to reaffirm its normative power in cybersecurity governance and the need to protect its strategic interests. This goal entails navigating the pressures of the rivalry between the United States and China, epitomised by the 5G roll-out crisis. The EU's normative framework will likely appeal to other nations looking for solutions to the global cybersecurity challenge, which is exacerbated by the great power polarisation and the stagnation of multilateral organisations. The compliance of its laws and policies with international law will legitimise them and further the EU's global influence.