The International Criminal Court’s recent decision to transition its office software from Microsoft to the German suite Open Desk has ignited a debate within Germany’s political sphere, prompting calls for a phased withdrawal from US-based cloud service providers. Security policy experts within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group are now advocating for a strategic shift towards prioritizing domestically produced or European alternatives.
Roderich Kiesewetter, a foreign policy spokesperson for the CDU, voiced concerns over escalating geopolitical risks to the “Handelsblatt” newspaper, arguing that Germany must build its capabilities, including the digital infrastructure of its government agencies, on solutions independent of potential external pressure. He emphasized that critical infrastructure companies and state entities should actively reduce dependencies on US services, despite acknowledging the likely increased costs and potential limitations in performance that may result.
Marc Henrichmann, the chairman of the Bundestag’s parliamentary oversight committee for intelligence services, echoed this sentiment, stating that the deployment of European or German software solutions demonstrating robust security standards and compliance with data protection regulations would be highly desirable.
Kiesewetter specifically highlighted the volatile nature of transatlantic relations, particularly referencing the potential unpredictability associated with a potential second term for former US President Donald Trump. He warned that reliance on US-developed software creates a theoretical leverage point for the US, affording them the capacity to use cloud services as geopolitical pressure tools or even render them unusable at the discretion of a US administration.
While acknowledging the immediate challenges of achieving complete digital independence, Kiesewetter stressed the urgent need for enhanced digital sovereignty within Europe. He conceded that certain essential cloud solutions remain predominantly offered by US companies in the short term. Henrichmann’s call for a “clear European digital strategy” underscored this need, prioritizing innovation, enshrining security obligations and explicitly aiming for technological autonomy. The ongoing debate signals a deepening awareness of the vulnerabilities inherent in over-reliance on foreign technology and a nascent push for a more strategically independent digital future for Germany and, potentially, Europe.