Successful global models of digital resistance: Lessons for the Arab world

1. China: Comprehensive digital sovereignty (the most complete model)

A. Key Achievements

• Great Firewall: A sophisticated filtering system that protects China’s digital space
• Complete system of alternatives:
  • Baidu (Google alternative).
  • WeChat (alternative to WhatsApp and Facebook)
  • Alibaba Cloud (alternative to AWS and Azure)
• Strict regulations:
  • Local data storage since 2017
  • Comprehensive review of algorithms

B. Lessons learnt

• The need for a comprehensive strategic vision supported by the state
• Importance of developing integrated local alternatives before imposing restrictions
• Huge investment in R&D (China’s AI budget: $15bn per year)

2. Russia: Digital Sovereignty Under Sanctions (Crisis Model)

A. Key Achievements

• Mir payments system: SWIFT alternative since 2014.
• Sovereign Internet: 95 per cent of internet traffic is local.
• Local platforms:
  • Yandex (search engine)
  • VK (social network)
  • RuStore (app store)

B. Lessons learnt

• The importance of pre-planning for crises (Russia started preparing as early as 2012)
• The need to have alternatives ready before the need arises
• The effectiveness of public-private sector co-operation

3. Iran: Digital Resistance Under Siege (Challenge Model)

A. Key achievements

• National Information Network: 75 per cent of internet traffic is local.
• Localised communication platforms:
  • Rubika (Telegram alternative).
  • Balah (WhatsApp alternative)
• Operating systems:
  • Payan (for state-owned devices)
  • Mobike for phones

B. Lessons learnt

• The possibility of building a digital ecosystem under siege
• Importance of Technical Education (Iran graduates 250,000 engineers annually)
• The need to Adapt to difficult circumstances

4. European Union: Regulatory digital sovereignty (model legislation)

A. Key achievements

• GDPR: Global standard in data protection.
• GAIA-X: European cloud project.
• Platform laws:
  • Digital Markets Act
  • Digital Services Act

B. Lessons learnt

• The power of uniform legislation to enforce sovereignty
• The importance of cooperation between homogeneous states
• The effectiveness of regulatory pressure on global corporations

5. India: Popular Digital Sovereignty (Critical Mass Model)

A. Key Achievements

• Unified Payment Interface (UPI): 8 billion transactions per month.
• Local platforms:
  • Koo (Twitter alternative).
  • ONDC (Amazon alternative)
• Data Policy:
  • Localised data storage
  • Taxation of foreign companies

B. Lessons learnt

• The power of the big market to dictate terms
• The importance of simple solutions that adapt to local culture
• The effectiveness of financial incentives in incentivising relocation

6. South Korea: Technological digital supremacy (innovation model)

A. Key achievements

• Completely localised 5G network
• Dominant domestic platforms:
  • Naver (Google alternative).
  • Kakao (integrated communication system)
• Strict legislation against foreign platforms

B. Lessons learnt

• Importance of investing in infrastructure
• Need to develop integrated solutions (not partial alternatives)
• The power of Partnership between large and small companies

Conclusion: Key lessons for the Arab world

1. Start early as China and Russia have done
2. Benefit from the size of the market as India did
3. Focussing on technical education as Iran did
4. Uniform legislation as in the European Union
5. Technological innovation as in Korea

Digital sovereignty is no longer a luxury option, it has become a strategic necessity to survive in the digital age. Global models prove that:

• Local alternatives are possible
• Digital resistance works
• Technological sovereignty achieves true independence

The question now is: **When will Arab countries start applying these lessons?