Publication Date: November 14, 2025
Overview
- Author: Ralf Hersel / Digital Society Switzerland
- Source: https://gnulinux.ch/digiges-positionspapier-zur-digitalen-souveraenitaet
- Date: November 14, 2025
- Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
Article Summary
What is this about? Digital Society Switzerland has published a position paper that denounces Switzerland's critical dependence on American tech corporations and demands concrete measures for digital sovereignty.
Key Facts:
- Swiss public sector spent 1.1 billion Swiss francs on Microsoft licenses over 10 years
- Digital infrastructure is classified as critical infrastructure like electricity and water
- Microsoft already blocked the International Criminal Court - example of potential blackmail
- Demand for open-source principle for all public IT systems
- European cooperation with like-minded countries sought
- Building independent cloud infrastructure instead of Amazon dependency
- Procurement system should be aligned with sovereignty criteria
Affected Groups: Swiss authorities, citizens, IT professionals, European partners, taxpayers
Opportunities & Risks:
- Opportunities: Independence from foreign laws, cost savings, data protection, crisis resilience
- Risks: High transition costs, skilled worker shortage, possible transition problems
Recommendations: Immediate halt to further Microsoft integrations, investments in open-source solutions, skilled worker development
Looking Ahead
Short-term (1 year): First pilot projects with open-source alternatives, review of existing contracts with tech giants
Medium-term (5 years): Building own cloud infrastructure, reducing Microsoft dependency by at least 50%, strengthened European cooperation
Long-term (10-20 years): Complete digital sovereignty of Switzerland, established European tech alternative, new generation of domestic IT professionals
Fact Check
- 1.1 billion Swiss francs Microsoft expenses: [⚠️ Still to be verified] - Source of calculation not detailed
- Microsoft blocking of International Criminal Court: Confirmed by media reports in 2024
- Critical infrastructure classification: Corresponds to international cybersecurity standards
- Open-source principle: Proven practice in various European countries
Additional Sources
Additional perspectives and information on this topic should be researched from the following areas:
- Official federal statements on digital policy
- International studies on digital sovereignty
- Other countries' experiences with open-source transitions
Brief Summary
Digital Society denounces Switzerland's dangerous dependence on American tech corporations and demands a radical shift toward digital sovereignty. The issue is highly topical as geopolitical tensions highlight the vulnerability of digital dependencies. Key recommendation: Immediate strategic change in public IT procurement focusing on open-source and European cooperation, before existing dependencies become further entrenched.
Three Key Questions
What risks to freedom arise when foreign corporations can block access to critical IT infrastructure at any time?
Where is more responsibility needed from Swiss politics to enforce digital sovereignty despite higher initial investments?
How can innovation and transparency be promoted without compromising the security and functionality of public administration?
Source List
- Original Source: DigiGes: Position paper on digital sovereignty, https://gnulinux.ch/digiges-positionspapier-zur-digitalen-souveraenitaet
- Primary Source: Digital Society Switzerland, https://www.digitale-gesellschaft.ch/2025/11/07/weg-von-microsoft-365-und-der-amazon-cloud-wie-wir-digitale-souveraenitaet-schaffen-positionspapier-digitale-souveraenitaet/
- Facts checked: on November 14, 2025