Large majority wants digital technology, software and services from Europe

• One third has already consciously chosen European Providers
• 55 per cent find switching too much effort

Whether AI, software, messaging apps or smartphones: many of the digital products people use every day come from companies outside Europe. A recent survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom shows that people in Germany consider building their own digital capacities and offerings to be urgently necessary. 93 per cent believe Germany is dependent on other countries when it comes to digital technologies. 79 per cent are calling for Germany to invest more heavily in key digital technologies. And virtually everyone (99 per cent) considers it important for Germany to become more independent in digital technologies overall. A total of 1,004 people aged 16 and over in Germany were surveyed.

"People in Germany want Europe to become more independent in digital technologies. This requires more investment and less regulation — more investment in key digital technologies by businesses, and a reduction in excessive regulation by policymakers in Berlin and Brussels," said Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst. "Critical technologies that do not originate in Germany or Europe must at the very least meet our requirements for security and sovereignty in practical use. One thing is also clear: we need partnerships with international tech companies on equal terms — digital sovereignty cannot be achieved by going it alone. More digital sovereignty will emerge from investment, measured regulation and strategic partnerships."

One third of people in Germany (34 per cent) have already consciously chosen a digital service or device from Europe. A further 27 per cent have at least considered doing so. 34 per cent say they have not yet thought about it. At the same time, consumers are seen as having a responsibility: 87 per cent believe that people themselves will also need to adapt if Germany is to become more digitally independent. 62 per cent also take the view that short-term disadvantages should be accepted if they would lead to greater independence for Germany in its digital transformation. At the same time, the survey reveals where things frequently fall short in practice: 55 per cent find switching to European providers too much effort.

European applications and technologies have already made inroads in everyday life in only a few individual areas. The survey provides an initial overview of where consumers are currently using European offerings: 14 per cent say they are already using European social networks, 13 per cent a European search engine or browser, and 11 per cent a European messaging app. 6 per cent rely on European AI applications or chatbots, and 5 per cent on smartphones from European providers. Wintergerst added: "The interest in European offerings is there. Europe must not only develop digital technologies but also scale them more quickly and bring them into widespread use. This requires innovation-friendly regulation, more growth capital, and public procurement that gives young companies a genuine chance."