Regulating the Regulators? The Challenges of Public Sector Data Platforms

While regulatory frameworks for private digital platforms have received significant scholarly and policy attention, public sector data analysis and integration platforms remain comparatively underexamined. These platforms pose unique regulatory challenges: they process citizens’ data, raising concerns about accountability, legitimacy, and oversight, yet their regulation is inherently complex as the state effectively regulates itself. Moreover, governments face growing challenges in maintaining digital sovereignty, particularly in times of acute geopolitical conflicts, where control over data infrastructures intersects with national security concerns. This paper examines existing regulatory approaches, identifies key shortcomings, and explores emerging strategies to enhance oversight and legitimacy. By drawing on democratic principles—such as transparency, participation, and accountability—it considers how these values can inspire new regulatory models. Through case studies, the paper critically assesses whether the current regulatory ‘machinery’ is adequate to address the evolving risks associated with public sector data governance.