中國國家、網路服務中介者與個人用戶之三角權力結構:來自數位瑞士理論的辯證與新詮

Translated title of the contribution: The Triangulate Power Structure Between State, Internet Service Providers, and Their Consumers in China: Debates and Interpretations through Digital Switzerland Theory

林 昕璇(Hsin-hsuan Lin), 左 宜恩(Yi-en Tso)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Personal Information Protection Law and Regulation on Protecting the Security of Critical Information Infrastructure in 2021 manifest the new era of internet monitoring in China. These law regulations have laid foundations for Chinese government's internet sovereignty and data localization policies to mark China's legal attempt to monopolize data technologies and to regulate their providers as well, for consolidating the regime's stability and social control. In fact, China's ambition to craft its technology governance model is not only reflected in its strong hold over domestic technology enterprises, but also can be observed through its coopetition with both domestic and foreign data service providers and platforms. China's regulatory framework of digital authoritarianism is gradually constructing a set of values, distinct from their counterparts in the Western democracies that seek to protect personal privacy in contrast. The coopetition relationships within the "state-personal users-service providers" triangulate power structure can be discovered to manifest the characteristic of cyber-governance in modern China. This article attempts to find out how China government strengthens its superior position through law regulation and policies to monitor information sphere. To illuminate China's digital authoritarianism, this article then introduces Kristen Eichensehr's theoretical approach of Digital Switzerland to the study of CCP's cyber-governance. This approach highlights the power asymmetry, particularly the triangulate strategic interaction model, between the state, internet intermediaries, and their users. Through the lens of Digital Switzerland, we aim to unpack China's digital authoritarianism and its instruments for cyber-governance by contextualizing the development of the trilateral relations between the three actors.

Translated title of the contributionThe Triangulate Power Structure Between State, Internet Service Providers, and Their Consumers in China: Debates and Interpretations through Digital Switzerland Theory
Original languageChinese (Traditional)
Pages (from-to)45-79
Number of pages35
Journal中國大陸研究 = Mainland China Studies (TSSCI)
Volume65
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Dec

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