The Sino-American dispute over 5G digital infrastructure and its impacts on digital sovereignty in Brazil

Abstract

The Sino-American dispute over telecommunications infrastructure and digital technology, such as 5G, is evident and touches on issues of digital sovereignty, national security and geopolitics that are relevant not only to China and the US, but also to foreign countries and strategic actors in the dispute in question. While the US is concerned about possible cyberattacks, Chinese intelligence and the development of Eastern digital infrastructures, China, on the other hand, focuses on various niches in the virtual environment, posing a threat to Western platforms and infrastructures. The objective of this article is to delve deeper, based on a qualitative approach and the use of bibliographical review and critical analysis of literature, into the competition between China and the United States for digital infrastructures and their respective impacts on Brazilian digital sovereignty. What can be observed is that, in addition to the Sino-American game highlighted, the relevance of developing national technological autonomy arises. For this progress to occur, Brazil must follow a path focused on domestic production of technology, cooperation between universities and companies and a strong legal basis to generate a sustainable and competitive cyber environment.