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Glossary

data sovereignty

Short Definition
Advocacy for protecting a nation's right to govern the collection, ownership, and application of its own data.
Relevance
Data governance plays a critical role in justice-oriented tech practices, especially in efforts rooted in Indigenous, Black, and disability justice frameworks. It goes beyond technical protocols, addressing the power dynamics of who controls data and how it is used. In justice-driven tech, data governance ensures that communities have the authority to dictate how their data is collected, shared, and protected. It resists exploitative practices and prioritizes ethical use of data, ensuring it serves the needs of those most impacted by systemic inequalities. This approach fosters self-determination, safeguards cultural knowledge, and ensures that technology supports equitable outcomes, aligning with broader goals of liberation and justice in tech spaces.
Additional Notes
Further Reading

Animikii. (2023). #DataBack: Asserting & Supporting Indigenous Data Sovereignty. Animikii, Inc. https://databack.animikii.com/index

This is a 2023–2025 project led by InterAccess, in collaboration with Tangled Art + Disability, and FEZIHAUS™.