Governance in Global Digital Platforms: A Study of the Intertwining of Corporate Governance with the Sovereignty of States

Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Hossein Hassani

Assistant Professor of Cyberspace Studies, RICAC

https://doi.org/10.22067/irlip.2025.87314.1514

Abstract

This paper delves into the intricate interplay between content moderation mechanisms, employed by Meta as a form of self-governance, and the overarching governance structures imposed by nation-states. Content moderation, subsumed under the umbrella term of platform governance, stands as the primary tool utilized by global digital corporations to regulate online discourse and citizen behavior within the digital realm. Given the pervasive influence of global digital platforms over the internet, and considering that a significant portion of citizen interactions and communications transpire within these platforms, many governments have been compelled to relinquish a degree of their sovereignty to these entities. In contrast to the inaction of many governments, some have proactively enacted legislation and established frameworks to moderate and align with the governance practices of these large platforms. The European Union has emerged as a frontrunner in this endeavor, striving to safeguard its digital sovereignty through the adoption of various regulations, including those pertaining to data privacy. Additionally, countries like Germany have mandated that these platforms adhere to their national laws within their respective territories, incorporating these regulations as guiding principles for service provision. The findings of this paper underscore the inevitability of platform involvement in governance, highlighting the emergence of a hybrid governance model that integrates corporate governance with national governance. This shared governance approach, while acknowledging the transformative impact of technological and political developments, necessitates that platforms enforce national regulations within a specific territorial jurisdiction. This, in turn, fosters the protection of citizen rights and the restoration of state sovereignty in the face of the platformization of politics.

Keywords

• sovereignty
• governance in platforms
• content moderation
• digital sovereignty
• Meta

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