Cybernetic self-governance equates to a fortress
Embracing Digital Independence: The German Agenda
Germany's digital policy lays emphasis on sovereignty, innovation, and societal progress. With the mantra "Our digital policy is power politics. We want a digitally sovereign Germany," the government is taking proactive steps to maintain control over its digital infrastructure and data, termed as digital sovereignty.
This push for digital independence is fueled by recent developments in the tech world. The scenario, as Anne Roth puts it, becomes all too real with the consequences of US-based tech companies' control over digital communication infrastructure.
Microsoft's move to block the email account of the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor due to US sanctions acted as a wake-up call. This incident demonstrated the potential dangers when companies or states wield such control over the technological and communication backbone of digital communication.
The term 'digital sovereignty' is broadly understood as independent self-determination over digital matters. However, the actual implementation can be complex, as it involves various aspects - individual digital sovereignty (over personal data), Germany/Europe's IT infrastructure, and more.
For instance, choosing to encrypt emails to protect personal data from tech companies or authorities is different from European nations or German authorities protecting their data from external threats, say from China, Russia, or US companies.
The German Defense Forces recently signed a contract with Google for new clouds, and interestingly, Google Cloud is touted as a "sovereign solution." This raises questions about the definition of digital sovereignty and its practical implications.
Technology experts reject the notion that digital sovereignty is the key to solving problems. Instead, they advocate for democratic control over how data is processed and the development of digital products. The real issue is not which companies control our data, but that companies do, period.
Digital infrastructure, like hospitals, apartments, and other public utilities, should be democratically controlled and operated for the common good, ensuring resource efficiency as well.
As Thorsten Thiel, an expert in digital sovereignty, points out, the quest for independence should not compromise data privacy and security. The focus should be on enhancing co-determination in the processing of data to maintain a democratic balance.
In conclusion, digital sovereignty is about maintaining control over digital infrastructure and data to ensure that they serve the national interest without compromising individual rights, security, and privacy. It is crucial for enhancing competitiveness, innovative capacity, and resilience. However, achieving digital sovereignty necessitates careful consideration, as the benefits of independence must outweigh the potential risks.
Enrichment Insights:
- Definition of Digital Sovereignty: Digital sovereignty is the ability of a nation to control and manage its digital infrastructure and data independently, ensuring alignment with national interests and regulations.
- European Clouds vs US Companies: European cloud platforms, such as those in Germany, aim to ensure data privacy and security by keeping data within EU jurisdiction, adhering to stricter EU regulations like GDPR, and reducing dependency on foreign companies and their laws.
- Data Control Challenges: Data control by US companies often involves data being stored on servers located in the US, which can compromise privacy and security due to the possibility of access by US authorities and the need to comply with US laws, as exemplified by the Cloud Act.
- The German government's emphasis on digital sovereignty is a proactive step to ensure control over its digital infrastructure and data, which includes maintaining independent self-determination over digital matters like personal data and Germany/Europe's IT infrastructure.
- Technology experts argue that the key to resolving problems related to digital infrastructure and data doesn't lie in digital sovereignty, but in democratic control over how data is processed and the development of digital products, ensuring that data privacy and security are not compromised in the pursuit of digital independence.
