<p>This opening paper for the topical collection on digital sovereignty explores the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of the concept. The paper gives a brief overview of the traditional concept of sovereignty, discussing its applications to the digital. Moreover, it examines the tension between the borderless nature of cyberspace and the territorial basis of traditional sovereignty. The analysis highlights different perspectives on digital sovereignty, from state-led strategies aimed at controlling data and infrastructures to Indigenous approaches emphasizing self-determination and sovereignty over data. It further investigates the application of the concept to the infrastructural components of cyberspace, including submarine cables and cross-border data flows. The possibility of entrenching rules in the code of cyberspace is analysed highlighting regulatory ambitions and digital policies from China, Russia and the EU. This paper provides a foundational framework for the topical collection, proposing interdisciplinary approaches to address the complexities of digital sovereignty and its implications for global governance and politics.</p>