Role of Human‐Centric Approach Toward Digital Sovereignty: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

With the growing mediation of personal data and identity by digital technologies—driven not only by the significant growth of these technologies, but also by the widespread processing of personal data—digital sovereignty has emerged as a significant issue. Conventional methodologies prioritize national governance, geopolitical considerations, and centralized management of data infrastructures. Conversely, human‐centric digital sovereignty emphasizes individual rights, data agency, privacy protection, and community autonomy. Frameworks like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) illustrate this transition by providing individuals substantial authority over personal data and enhancing digital trust and security. This study analyzes the integration of human‐centric concepts into legislative and technological frameworks to promote digital sovereignty. The focus encompasses: (1) distinctions between human‐centric and conventional sovereignty models; (2) the empowerment of individuals and communities via data ownership, privacy, and autonomy; (3) mechanisms facilitating implementation; (4) obstacles across technical, regulatory, and societal dimensions; and (5) opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things. A systematic review was performed using PRISMA principles across seven prominent academic databases: ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, Springer Link, Taylor & Francis, and Google Scholar. Out of 5684 initial articles (2020–2025), a multi‐stage screening process discovered 70 peer‐reviewed research articles in English pertaining to digital sovereignty and human‐centric methodologies. Findings demonstrate a global transition from state‐centric to individual‐centric sovereignty. Decentralized technologies, especially Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT), present significant opportunities for personal data governance, secure identity management, and international compliance; nonetheless, challenges such as scalability constraints, regulatory fragmentation, interoperability issues, and opposition from centralized organizations persist as substantial obstacles. Artificial intelligence, DLT technologies, and the Internet of Things offer privacy‐enhancing computation and decentralized identities; yet they also introduce concerns such as algorithmic bias, security vulnerabilities, and governance ambiguities. The future of digital sovereignty hinges on the prioritization of human agency, privacy, and community empowerment. Attaining holistic human‐centric sovereignty necessitates synchronized global regulation, ethical and security benchmarks, interoperable frameworks, and collaborative engagement across governments, industry, academia, and civil society. This article is categorized under: Application Areas > Science and Technology Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Security and Privacy Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Human Centricity and User Interaction