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German Bundestag Raises Concerns Over Reliance on Foreign Cloud Services
The German Bundestag has formally addressed the growing dependence of German companies on cloud services offered by foreign providers. A “Kleine Anfrage” (Minor Interpellation), document number 21/940, was published on July 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM, signaling a significant parliamentary interest in this strategic economic and security issue.
The publication of Drucksache 21/940, titled “Kleine Anfrage Zur Abhängigkeit deutscher Unternehmen von den Clouddiensten ausländischer Anbieter” (Minor Interpellation on the Dependence of German Companies on Cloud Services from Foreign Providers), indicates that members of the Bundestag are seeking detailed information and potentially policy responses regarding the current landscape of cloud service utilization by German businesses.
This parliamentary inquiry highlights a growing awareness of the implications associated with relying heavily on infrastructure and services controlled by entities outside of Germany. Concerns likely revolve around several key areas:
- Data Sovereignty and Security: A primary focus of such an inquiry is typically the control and protection of sensitive German data. The question of where data is stored, processed, and who has access to it under foreign legal frameworks is of paramount importance.
- Economic Competitiveness: The accessibility and cost-effectiveness of cloud services are crucial for the digital transformation and competitiveness of German businesses. Understanding the extent of foreign provider dominance and its potential impact on domestic innovation and market participation is a likely driver for this request.
- Strategic Autonomy: In an increasingly interconnected and geopolitically sensitive world, a nation’s digital infrastructure and the control over its data are often viewed as elements of strategic autonomy. The Bundestag’s initiative suggests a desire to assess and potentially bolster Germany’s self-reliance in the digital sphere.
- Regulatory Compliance: German and European Union regulations, such as the GDPR, impose strict requirements on data handling. The inquiry may seek to understand how German companies ensure compliance when using cloud services governed by foreign laws and regulations.
While the specific questions posed within the “Kleine Anfrage” are not detailed in the provided announcement, such parliamentary requests typically aim to elicit comprehensive information from the government. This could include data on market shares of foreign versus domestic cloud providers, identified risks and vulnerabilities, and existing or proposed government strategies to promote alternative solutions or ensure greater data sovereignty.
The timing of this publication, less than a month before the German federal elections in September 2025, also suggests that digital sovereignty and economic resilience are becoming increasingly prominent issues in the political discourse.
This parliamentary step underscores the importance that German policymakers are placing on understanding and potentially shaping the future of cloud adoption within the nation’s economy, with a clear emphasis on safeguarding national interests and fostering a robust digital ecosystem. Further details are expected as the government responds to the Bundestag’s inquiry.
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Drucksachen published ’21/940: Kleine Anfrage Zur Abhängigkeit deutscher Unternehmen von den Clouddiensten ausländischer Anbieter (PDF)’ at 2025-07-21 10:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.