The time for digital sovereignty is now.

The geopolitical situation is coming to a head and making Europe's dependence on foreign technology providers more apparent than ever. This development not only endangers the security of sensitive data, but also highlights the importance of true digital sovereignty for Europe.

Why digital sovereignty is more urgent than ever

Developments in recent weeks in particular have clearly demonstrated the strategic importance of technological dominance on the international political stage. The CEOs and founders of the largest technology companies in the US not only sat in the front row at the inauguration of the US president, but will also hold positions in his cabinet. Facebook, meanwhile, has abandoned its fact-checking and has long since been influencing political discourse by deliberately spreading (dis)information.

Control over critical infrastructure can also be used as a geopolitical means of exerting pressure: according to reports, a possible shutdown of the Starlink satellite network has been used as leverage in negotiations with Ukraine. It would certainly be possible to shut it down, and it would be devastating for the country. A monopoly on technology therefore means political power, and that extends far beyond the US. This is not a thought experiment, but a reality that has been with us for some time.

A risk to data protection and independence

Dependence on US technology providers therefore entails considerable risks, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions. Laws such as the Cloud Act could oblige companies to pass on sensitive European data to US authorities.

The current course of the US government shows: digital autonomy cannot be taken for granted. Relying on software from the US today risks compromising critical communication infrastructures tomorrow.

Open Source as the key to digital sovereignty

The only real alternative is open source from Europe. Open software enables transparency and security: its source code can be viewed and checked at any time, thus guaranteeing that a software only does what it is supposed to do. At the same time, open source also allows for operation on custom servers – for maximum control over data and infrastructure.

However, the strategic advantages of open source solutions go far beyond this. For IT decision-makers, the use of European open source software represents a sustainable investment in their own digital infrastructure. The open source code not only eliminates hidden dependencies, but also unpredictable license costs and unilateral contract changes by proprietary providers.

In addition, control over critical IT components enables a well-founded risk assessment and control. Security gaps can be identified and remedied by custom experts or specialized European service providers, without having to rely on the response time of foreign corporations. In times of increasing cyber threats, this ability to act is invaluable.

Despite common reservations, modern open source solutions now offer professional support structures and integration options that are on par with proprietary systems. The user-friendliness and scalability of European open source software enables a seamless transition from proprietary to open systems without sacrificing performance and ease of use.

The development of a European open source ecosystem is of particular importance. Strategic investments in European developers, service providers and research institutions not only create new jobs, but also a sustainable transfer of knowledge. This strengthens Europe's innovative capacity and reduces dependence on external technology imports in the long term.

For public administrations, open source also offers the opportunity to demonstrably fulfill legal requirements for data protection, accessibility and interoperability. The source code can be checked by independent experts for compliance with these requirements – a decisive advantage over proprietary “black box” solutions.

Act now: digital sovereignty begins now

Digital sovereignty is non-negotiable – it must be actively defended. Organizations, companies and public institutions must act now and consciously choose transparent, secure alternatives in order to remain independent and capable of action in the long term.

Don't let others determine how you communicate. Choose digitally sovereign software solutions.