Dr. Radhika Krishnan gave an expert lecture on Governing the Digital Space: Challenges and Limitations in the US, China and the European Union on 17 February at IIIT Hyderabad. The talk was organised as part of the Jean Monnet Module on Digital Democracy and Data Governance in the EU.

Drawing on comparative experiences from the United States, the European Union, and China, Dr. Krishnan highlighted how approaches to governing the digital sphere reflect differing political priorities—while also revealing inherent structural limitations within governance processes themselves. She posed a compelling question to the audience: does legislation inevitably lag behind technological innovation, or is this perceived delay the result of deeper socio-political design?

The lecture began by examining the “rhizomic” nature of the digital space—its decentralised, interconnected, and constantly evolving structure—and the governance challenges that emerge from it. Dr. Krishnan engaged with influential academic frameworks, from Manuel Castells’ concept of the network society to Shoshana Zuboff’s theory of surveillance capitalism. These perspectives, she noted, offer valuable tools for understanding the complex negotiations between citizens, corporations, and the State in the digital era.

The discussion also foregrounded pressing concerns around privacy and surveillance—whether exercised by governments or corporate entities—situating them within the broader architecture of a digital ecosystem powered by computational technologies and the commodification of human experience.

The session provided participants with a nuanced, interdisciplinary lens to reflect on the evolving nature of digital governance and its implications for democracy, regulation, and accountability.

February 2026