The UK’s dependence on Big Tech has left us dangerously vulnerable, particularly against a backdrop of increased geopolitical uncertainty as a result of US and Israeli military actions.
With the Government actively considering triggering the break clause in Palantir’s Federated Data Platform contract, ministers seem to be waking up to the risks of allowing these corporations free rein in our public institutions.
It’s vital that work starts urgently on alternatives to Big Tech dominance.
I have a letter, call on the Government tor:
1. Include of explicit acute risks of state threats of interference in our digital systems in the National Risk Register.
2. Lead a national debate on the nature of our digital dependence, from both a security and economic perspective.
3. Provide Parliament and the public with the analysis made for managing the chronic tech risks outlined in the Risk Register, including for “impacts from reliance on digital platforms and digital services for services and interactions”, “concentration of risk through dominance of global tech”, “impacts from the use of end-to-end encryption”, and “Impacts from use and capability of artificial intelligence.”