Jurisdiction in the Digital Age with the Focus on Quantum Computing

Jurisdiction in the digital age has evolved from clear territorial boundaries in the mainframe era to the legal uncertainty of distributed computing. This paper examines how existing jurisdictional principles apply to such revolutionary phenomenon as quantum computing. It discusses key factors for determining jurisdiction, for instance, the location of quantum hardware or the location of data. Defining which law should be applied to quantum involves addressing the unique characteristics of these technologies. Considering the early stage of quantum development, rather than advocating for new rules, the article examines the current landscape, analysing how governments, international institutions, and private firms deal with quantum sovereignty, access limits, and regulatory methods. The aim is to provide an overview of the current state of discussion around quantum regulation, the institutional efforts determining its future and evaluate the extent to which territorial jurisdiction is viable in the era of quantum computing. The motivation for the research is driven by the rapidly developing field of these technologies and the necessity to investigate the effectiveness and adaptability of existing legal and ethical principles.