ⒾMachine translations by Deepl
Digital sovereignty is a political choice
Our society is digitising at breakneck speed. From healthcare and education to tax returns and communication, almost everything is (partly) digital these days. At the same time, we as a society are losing our grip on the technology that makes this possible.
Dependency threatens our autonomy
Increasingly, public and private services are (partly) dependent on a handful of foreign tech companies, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta. This dependence, combined with the much-criticised business practices of these companies, undermines the protection of our personal autonomy and freedom.
Dutch data under foreign laws
Besides the unhealthy relationship with Big Tech, the dependence on other states and more specifically the United States is also problematic. And that while privacy protection and culture in the US is very different from what we have as standard in the Netherlands and Europe.
The gravity of the situation is underlined by several alarming reports. TNO found in 2022 that more than 90% (!) of our digital data runs through servers in the US.[1] With that, that data also falls under US legislation, such as the CLOUD Act. This is legislation that gives US authorities (subject to conditions) access to all data processed by US companies. This applies even in cases where the data remain physically in the Netherlands.[2]
Digital sovereignty requires political direction
Digital sovereignty is about control over digital infrastructure, software and data. It is a prerequisite for society to be able to decide for itself what technology we deploy, under what conditions, and at the service of whom.
Not all responsibility in the digital society can be placed on the individual, research by the Rathenau Institute shows.[3] Politics has a clear role here. This is also confirmed by the Advisory Council on International Affairs in its unsolicited opinion warning against "dominant states and technology companies [setting] the rules of the game". In its opinion, the prominent advisory board calls on government and parliament for political direction.[4]
Politics, take responsibility
Far-reaching digitalisation calls for political choices. Do we want a society where citizens remain in control of their lives? Or do we put our future in the hands of opaque companies and foreign legislation?
Call Privacy First
Privacy First calls on political parties to show colour: include digital sovereignty and privacy in the election manifesto. Not as an afterthought, but as foundations of a free, democratic rule of law.
[1] https://www.tno.nl/nl/newsroom/insights/2022/06/versterking-digitale-soevereiniteit/
[2] https://www.ncsc.nl/actueel/weblog/weblog/2022/de-werking-van-de-cloud-act-bij-dataopslag-in-europa
[3] https://www.rathenau.nl/nl/digitalisering/publieke-waarden-en-digitalisering
[4] https://www.adviesraadinternationalevraagstukken.nl/documenten/publicaties/2025/06/17/ai-technologie-macht-waarden
