Extraterritoriality in the age of digital sovereignty: how far can the law go?

Thursday 25 June 2026 from 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

École militaire (Paris 7e)

La Digital Sovereignty and Cyber Chair - IHEDN is organising its next event on the theme of’extraterritoriality of law in the age of digital sovereignty.

Today, the abundant use of extraterritoriality in the national digital policy of many States reveals a transformation of this legal instrument of State competence (derived from its sovereignty) into a strategic tool (of «digital sovereignty»). This is why it is necessary to examine the abuses of these practices and to discuss the legal safeguards put in place to combat this excessive expansion of digital extraterritoriality.

See you on Thursday 25 June 2026 at 6.30pm, at the’Military school (Paris 7e).

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Digital extraterritoriality is attracting increasing interest, as states see it as a central instrument of their national digital policies. It is often associated with one state (the United States) and seen as a challenge to be overcome, closely linked to foreign dependencies. In order to «combat extraterritoriality», it is common to adopt certain reflexes, such as «localising data», «creating a sovereign cloud», «using national companies» and so on. However, these convictions are now being undermined by the abusive use of extraterritoriality in the digital domain. This practice is leading to a veritable «clash of extraterritorialities», with certain States attempting to appropriate extraterritoriality politically in order to promote their own approach, and diverting the initial objective of the legal mechanism. Extraterritoriality is a well-established legal concept in international law. Extraterritoriality is a mechanism by which a State can extend its powers (to issue or even apply the law) beyond its borders, provided that it justifies this on the basis of a connecting document and that the foreign State consents (while respecting its sovereignty). Today, the legal instrument of extraterritoriality, which stems from State sovereignty, is gradually becoming a strategic tool of State «digital sovereignty». These observations contribute to a misunderstanding of the concept of extraterritoriality in the digital age by the general public.

This round table brings together a number of legal experts who will attempt to shed light on the debates surrounding the extraterritoriality of law in the digital age, its current use and the implications. 

Speakers

Brunessen Bertrand
University Professor

Jean-François Funke
Lawyer for new technologies

Emmanuelle Legrand
Magistrate of the judiciary

Animation

Esther Noël
Doctor of Law
Permanent researcher
Digital Sovereignty and Cyber Chair - IHEDN