The German government is facing renewed debate regarding the potential use of Palantir’s Gotham data analytics software by law enforcement agencies. Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger, of the CDU party, has voiced his support for exploring the application of the controversial program, emphasizing the need for Germany to leverage technology to safeguard its state and democracy.
“Those who hold different values and threaten entire countries are increasingly using technology. We should also use technologies to protect our state and our democracy. If a provider offers such a technology, we should invest in it” Wildberger stated in an interview with Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers.
The Minister also underscored the importance of fostering European alternatives to US-based technology providers. He stated a key objective is for Germany to achieve greater digital sovereignty, highlighting the significant reliance on American tech giants – currently accounting for approximately 75% of the cloud solutions utilized within the country.
While acknowledging the longstanding partnerships established with these American companies, Wildberger stressed the necessity of harnessing German and European talent to capitalize on burgeoning growth opportunities within the technology sector. He called on the German federal government to become a primary consumer of solutions provided by domestic and European businesses.
Despite ongoing tensions in transatlantic relations, Wildberger affirmed the importance of maintaining the long-standing partnership with the United States. He emphasized the need for longevity in these relationships, dismissing short-term disagreements as transient. However, he simultaneously urged a renewed sense of self-determination, pointing to a historical trend of outsourcing critical services – including defense, energy procurement, industrial production and digitization – that he believes needs to be re-evaluated.
