Data Storage by Public Administrations

The paper addresses the issue of data storage by public administrations. After a brief introduction on the notion of data and the way in which data has become relevant for public authorities, the analysis focuses on the idea that data can be treated as a network industry, and that the data storage phase is an important part of the data supply chain. The paper underlines the fact that the collection and use of data by public authorities must be regulated by law, and that such data is strictly connected with the public task for which it was collected. On such basis, the paper discusses the principle of digital sovereignty, according to which data storage may not leave the public sphere of control and access to public data centres may not be granted, no matter how they are designed.