“Promoting digital sovereignty and fundamental rights: Six principles for inclusion in public service procurement contracts “
Book chapter in “Algorithmic Rule. AI and the future of democracy in Sweden and beyond ” Edited by Vinge, S., & Fjaestad, M. (2025). Published by FOUNDATION FOR EUROPEAN PROGRESSIVE STUDIES (FEPS)
https://feps-europe.eu/publication/algorithmic-rule/
About the Chapter
In this chapter, authors Dr Hannah Johnston and Dr Christina Colclough argue for 6 principles that should be included in public procurement contracts to promote digital sovereignty whilst respecting public interests, sustainable development and fundamental rights.
Each principle is accompanied by concrete policy ideas that would prevent a race to the bottom with regards to safeguarding rights, protecting the environment and ensuring decent work.
About the Book
The future isn’t just digital, it’s algorithmic. The book ‘Algorithmic rule’ examines how algorithms increasingly govern our daily lives, from shaping media and managing workplaces to guiding decisions in health, education, and public services. The book departs from Sweden, exploring real-world cases algorithmic scandals and innovation alike, and investigating how governments increasingly utilize automation, how employers deploy surveillance-based management tools, and what happens when AI systems begin to replace public officials. Yet the book also looks ahead to a more democratic algorithmic future—one where transparency, inclusion, and citizen oversight truly shape the trajectory of technological development. It offers practical steps, from ethical procurement guidelines to policy reform, for reclaiming control of the code and ensuring democracy remains at the heart of the algorithmic age.