TechMeeting – Digital Sovereignty: Who Really Controls Your Data?
On April 22, 2026, a new TechMeeting will be held in Fribourg to address an issue that has become central to SMEs in western Switzerland: “Digital sovereignty: who really controls your data?” Organized by IT Valley, this event aims to bring together digital professionals, companies, and stakeholders from the regional technology ecosystem to discuss issues related to data control and technological independence.
Understanding the Challenges of Digital Sovereignty for SMEs
At a time when outsourced digital solutions, cloud services, and international platforms are ubiquitous in information systems, the issue of digital sovereignty has become a strategic concern for businesses. Who actually owns the data? In which countries is it stored? What technological dependencies does this entail? This TechMeeting aims to explore these issues through a session of discussion and analysis designed to better understand emerging risks and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Among the topics to be discussed during the evening:
- Digital Sovereignty and Technological Dependence – Understanding the Implications of Outsourcing Digital Infrastructure and the Impact of Major Technology Providers with Jean-Christophe Schwaab, former National Council member and author of the book *Toward Digital Sovereignty*
- Data Protection and Location – Challenges Related to Hosting, Confidentiality, and Control of Sensitive Information with Martine Stoffel, Cantonal Commissioner (FR) for Transparency and Data Protection
- Legal Frameworks and Regulatory Developments – Political and Legal Trends Shaping Data Governance and Digital Security with Gerhard Andrey, National Councilor and Co-Founder of the digital agency Liip
- Strategies for Regaining Control of Your Data – Ideas for Building More Resilient and Controlled Digital Infrastructures, Notably Through the SDS Network, with Pascal Stöckli, Digital Sovereignty Project Manager and Founder of the SDS Network
