France Advances Digital Sovereignty with New Initiatives and Public Awareness Campaigns

On January 26, 2026, France took significant steps to bolster its digital sovereignty by organizing the first government meetings on the subject in Bercy, led by Minister Anne Le Hénanff. These efforts encompass mapping digital dependencies in both public and private sectors through tools like the Digital Sovereignty Observatory and the Digital Resilience Index. The initiative aims to provide a clearer picture of France's digital infrastructure and vulnerabilities amid growing reliance on digital technologies.

Complementing this, a public awareness campaign launched earlier on January 20 by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs seeks to inform citizens about the negative societal impacts of recommendation algorithms. These algorithms, which shape how information is accessed and consumed, have been linked to reinforcing biases, creating information bubbles, and allowing manipulation of public opinion. Notably, half of Europeans believe the misuse of personal data adversely affects their daily lives, highlighting the urgency of addressing these concerns.

France's campaign invites greater transparency and regulation of online platforms, emphasizing the enforcement of the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). However, despite existing legislation, regulators still face challenges as algorithms remain opaque “black boxes,” complicating oversight efforts. The campaign underlines the threat foreign actors pose by exploiting algorithmic mechanisms to influence visibility of messages and sway public opinion.

These initiatives unfold amid France's growing prominence as a key player in digital infrastructure investments. The country attracts a quarter of global foreign investment in datacenters, totaling $69 billion, a figure significantly ahead of the United States. While this investment surge underlines France's position in supporting digital technology and emerging AI applications, it also raises environmental concerns. Datacenters are projected to consume up to 7.5% of France’s total electricity by 2035, potentially sparking competition with other essential sectors such as transport and heating.

To manage this expansion, the French government has identified 65 sites suitable for new datacenters, including 16 in the Hauts-de-France region. Despite environmental and energy supply challenges, these efforts indicate France's dual focus on digital sovereignty and sustainable digital growth as it navigates the complex landscape of technological advancement and regulation.

Overall, the French government’s coordinated strategy—combining mapping digital dependencies, public education, regulation advocacy, and infrastructure investment—demonstrates a comprehensive approach to securing digital sovereignty and protecting democratic values in the digital age.