Germany Targets Digital Sovereignty: Reducing Reliance on US Tech Firms (heise.de)

• Development of a domestic alternative to Palantir data platforms.
• Introduction of an 'IT Video Referee' oversight mechanism for public procurement.
• Strategic shift to reduce federal dependency on Microsoft ecosystem software.

"Digital Minister Wildberger has unveiled a strategic shift aimed at reducing Germany's reliance on US-based software giants such as Microsoft and Palantir. The initiative centers on fostering domestic cloud capabilities and developing a European-made data analytics platform. A key policy pillar is the introduction of an 'IT Video Referee'—an independent oversight body tasked with auditing public IT procurement to ensure vendor neutrality and technological autonomy, effectively countering potential lock-in effects from dominant foreign tech providers."