Let's Talk 'bout Germany, Digital Style!
Piece Penned by Stephan Lorz
Failed German Digital Strategy Unveiled
"Germany's digital game could use a major upgrade," scrawls an advisory board on digital policy's final report - and quickly dishes out a handful of suggestions for the incoming federal administration: It oughta show some real guts and commit to digitization, not just pay lip service. The vision should be clear-cut, the actions backed by cold, hard data. The current plan? More like a disorganized jumble of over 140 individual ideas. The digital policy status quo? A total disaster. Progress? Nada! Volker Wissing (FDP) gets blame as "Federal Digital Minister." He tried, but only the 49-euro forced digitalization of transport associations is a win.
Fun fact: Germany's digital strategy on the books since 2021 outlines some key elements to steer our digital future. Take a gander:
The Nitty-Gritty of Germany's Digital Strategy
- Sovereign Digital Stance:
- Self-reliance: Pushing to diminish reliance on external tech by building core tech domestically.
- European Unity: Foster European-integrated, robust tech value chains[1][2].
- AI and Infrastructure: Hype AI as a digital strategy's cornerstone and amp up digital infrastructure[2][3].
- Data Sharing Dilemma:
- Data Swap Shop: Advocating a bold attitude towards data sharing while safeguarding individual rights[2].
- Mark Storage: Proposing proportionate data retention rules for IP addresses and port numbers, in line with European law[3].
- Public Sector Digitization:
- People-Centric Admin: Aspiring for a totally digital public administration[2].
- IT Security: Bolstering IT security via strategies such as the National Cyber Security Strategy and NIS 2 Directive[3].
- Regulation and Infrastructure:
- Platform Regulation: Ensuring fair online competition and user protection[2].
- Network Growth: Accelerating telecommunications infrastructure development, considering it a "priority public interest"[3].
- Organizational Makeover:
- New Digital Ministry: Creating a powerful Digital Ministry to unite digital responsibilities from multiple departments[4].
For specific advice from the advisory board, more details would be needed, as this article primarily highlights coalition agreements and government initiatives, rather than board-specific recommendations.
- The advisory board on digital policy suggests that Germany should prioritize digitization with a clear-cut vision and data-backed actions, rather than just paying lip service.
- At the heart of Germany's digital strategy, as laid out in the 2021 document, is the emphasis on AI as the cornerstone for digital advancement and the augmentation of digital infrastructure.
- The advisory board advocates for a bold approach towards data sharing while safeguarding individual rights, and proposes proportionate data retention rules in line with European law.
- As part of Germany's digital strategy, the creation of a powerful Digital Ministry is proposed to consolidate digital responsibilities from various departments, aiming for a more streamlined approach.
