VII CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL de SOCIOLOGÍA de las POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS y SOCIALES
POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS Y CAPITALISMO DE DATOS: SOBERANÍA DIGITAL Y PROPIEDAD DE LOS DATOS.

VII International Conference on Sociology of Public and Social Policies
PUBLIC POLICIES AND DATA CAPITALISM: DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY AND DATA OWNERSHIP POLICIES

APRIL 9-10, 2025

The 7th International Conference on Sociology of Public and Social Policy aims to explore the critical intersection of data capitalism, digital sovereignty and data ownership in the context of contemporary sociological research and policy making.

We live in an era dominated by data capitalism, the rise of Big Tech corporations and, in Aragón, the proliferation of vast data centers. We find ourselves at a critical juncture —unusual and interesting— for sociological research and public policy analysis in this field.

The landscape of the 21st century is increasingly shaped by a handful of international technology giants whose influence extends far beyond the digital realm. These corporations, through their control of social media platforms, e-commerce ecosystems, and cloud services, have amassed unprecedented power. Their ability to collect, analyse, and monetize vast amounts of personal data has not only transformed business models but also reshaped social interactions, political processes, and cultural norms. This concentration of power raises pressing questions about market dominance, democratic accountability, and the future of privacy in our hyper-connected world.

At the heart of this new paradigm are the massive data centers —often referred to as "data farms"— that form the physical backbone of digital infrastructures. These sprawling facilities, which consume enormous amounts of energy and resources, store and process the data that fuels the digital economy. The environmental impact and geopolitical implications of these data centers add another layer of complexity to our understanding of digital sovereignty and global power dynamics, as a whole.

In addition, the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems promises to revolutionize industries and societies. However, it also brings with it challenges related to algorithmic bias, job displacement and the potential for autonomous systems to make decisions with far-reaching societal implications. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into public services and social policy implementation, we must critically examine their effects on equity, accountability and individuals.

In this context, machines and infrastructures (hardware), applications and codes (software) overlap with users' habits and data, making the latter key to the establishment of digital rights and data sovereignty. However, the global nature of data flows and the rapid pace of technological change continue to challenge the effectiveness and enforcement of policies and standards.

Here, we aim to explore how these interconnected phenomena —the power of big tech, data hubs, AI, and data ownership— are reshaping our understanding of data capitalism, digital and data sovereignty. We seek answers to questions of various kinds: how do big tech companies influence public policy and social norms? What are the social implications of concentrating vast amounts of data in centralized 'data farms'? How can we ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed in ways that promote social justice and equality? How effective are current data protection laws in safeguarding individual rights and how might they evolve to meet new challenges? How can public and social policies be designed to harness the benefits of digital technologies while protecting individual rights and promoting collective welfare?

We search interdisciplinary approaches that combine sociological theory with insights from fields such as law, economics, computer science, social work or political science. By encouraging dialogue between diverse perspectives, we aim to develop a nuanced understanding of these complex issues and their implications —present and future— for public and social policy.

This VII International Conference is an appointment and occasion for the meeting, study and analysis of the reality and projection of public and social policies in a national and international context of permanent and accelerated change.