The UK government has blanked the risks of US tech dependency for too long.
Our digital infrastructure is a strategic asset.
But that understanding is absent in how we hand out public sector contracts and allow UK tech sector sell-offs to foreign companies.
We must shift the dial.
Read more ⬇️
openrightsgroup.org/blog/the-c…
#DigitalSovereignty #bigtech #tech #opensource #ukpolitics #ukpol
The case for Digital Sovereignty and the Digital Commons
Our new report asks a profound question: just how dependent is the UK on US technology, and what could that mean for the UK’s sovereignty?Open Rights Group
Open Rights Group
in reply to Open Rights Group • • •Making ourselves dependent on Big Tech has been a fatal mistake.
The Post Office scandal didn't come from nowhere. Outsourcing our systems to the exclusive product of a single provider means we're locked-in to using it and them.
This leads to over-charging that costs in failure and extracts value.
#DigitalSovereignty #bigtech #tech #opensource #ukpolitics #ukpol
Open Rights Group
in reply to Open Rights Group • • •Digital dependence poses serious democratic risks.
They include lobbying, interference in trade agreements, deregulation and producing e-waste.
Governments become spellbound by techno-solutionism as vendors promote their way of doing things.
This only leads to greater economic extraction.
#DigitalSovereignty #bigtech #tech #opensource #ukpolitics #ukpol
Open Rights Group
in reply to Open Rights Group • • •The dominance of Big Tech in social media is itself a risk to democracy.
Yet the government supports Big Tech monopolies with ad spending and content without publishing on the alternatives.
They complain about Big Tech’s failures, while only giving users the opportunity to engage through Big Tech.
#DigitalSovereignty #bigtech #tech #opensource #ukpolitics #ukpol
Open Rights Group
in reply to Open Rights Group • • •The way forward is having the leadership to promote alternatives to Big Tech and using shared, Open Source tech.
It isn't about 'Buy British'. Open Source allows multiple partners and governments to develop the tools they need.
That means no vendor lock-in that frees us from coersion and control.
#DigitalSovereignty #bigtech #tech #opensource #ukpolitics #ukpol
Open Rights Group
in reply to Open Rights Group • • •A growing number of MPs that have signed the Early Day Motion calling for a Digital Sovereignty strategy and spoken out in debates.
It'll take political courage to end our digital dependency on powerful tech companies. But the risks of not acting are greater.
Sign and share our petition ⬇️
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions…
#DigitalSovereignty #bigtech #tech #opensource #ukpolitics #ukpol
Stop the "Kill Switch": Demand the UK takes back control of our technology.
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