Since its commercialization in the 1990s, the internet has revolutionized almost every aspect of human life, offering new opportunities for freedom of expression, easier communication, and boundless access to information. The emergence of artificial intelligence has further amplified the internet’s transformative power. However, alongside these benefits, the internet has also facilitated the spread of hate, division, and cybercrime. At this pivotal moment, governments play a crucial role as regulators, ensuring the internet is harnessed for the greater good and does not exacerbate social or security problems.
Anu Bradford’s “Digital Empires” (2023) describes three dominant digital regimes: the United States, China, and the European Union. The US relies on a free-market approach, promoting innovation with minimal government interference, resulting in tech giants like Google and Apple. China, in contrast, uses digital technology to strengthen state control, often prioritizing social harmony over privacy. The European Union strikes a balance, emphasizing human rights and regulating technology companies to prevent abuses while still encouraging innovation. These regimes are now vying for global influence over the digital economy.
For Indonesia, the main lesson is the importance of building a balanced and sovereign digital ecosystem. Indonesia should collaborate with all major digital powers—the US, China, and the EU—while avoiding overdependence on any single one. The EU’s experience with data protection can help Indonesia strengthen its own regulations, while technological innovation and investment from the US and China can accelerate digital transformation. However, such engagement must be accompanied by robust policies that safeguard data sovereignty, national security, and local talent development, ensuring Indonesia’s digital economy remains inclusive, sustainable, and competitive.
