A cross party group of MPs has called for the government to publish classified documents that detail the “chronic risks” to the UK from our reliance on digital platforms and services, the dominance of global tech and the impact of AI. Digital rights campaigners, the Open Rights Group, have also requested the release of the classified documents through a freedom of information request.

The publication of these risks is crucial to enable a proper public and parliamentary debate about the UK’s dependence on foreign tech companies for its critical infrastructure.

The MPs’ letter follows analysis in a recent report by ORG, which highlighted that national debate on digital sovereignty is being hampered by secrecy, preventing Parliament and the public from debating whether the government understand the scale of the challenge.

The report showed that the UK’s over-reliance on mostly US companies is a national security issue, due to US legal powers. During the previous parliament, MPs recognised the risks of using foreign tech companies when they took action over potential state interference from using Huawei equipment. However, there needs to be an urgent parliamentary and public debate about the UK’s reliance on mostly US companies in light of recent geopolitical uncertainty. Were the UK’s relationship with the US to deteriorate over Iran or Greenland, the US could use legal powers compel tech companies to discontinue services or carry out surveillance. Companies such as Palantir, recently contracted to deliver core components of the Ministry of Defence’s data systems, have openly championed US military dominance.

The letter calls for the National Risk Register to be updated so that it addresses the risk of foreign states using legal powers in this way. It also asks that the government “lead a national debate on the nature of our digital dependence, from both a security and economic perspective”.

Read the letter signed by Sian Berry MP (Green Party), Clive Lewis MP (Labour), Victoria Collins MP (Liberal Democrats) and Ben Lake MP (Plaid Cymru).

EU shift to Open Source

EU countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark are taking steps to end their reliance on US Big Tech by moving to Open Source and collaborative solutions.

ORG has called for the UK to develop a digital sovereignty strategy to protect the UK’s independence and grow its economy. Digital sovereignty is defined as the ability of a country to have control over its digital infrastructure, data, and technology. Greater investment in Open Source could also drive UK economic growth, supporting domestic innovation and a more competitive technology sector. It can modernise critical government systems, strengthen control over public technology infrastructure, reduce dependence on proprietary vendors and restore public sector control.

Jim Killock, Executive Director of Open Rights Group said:

“For years, Big Tech has used its power to lobby parliament, gain control of the UK’s digital infrastructure and influence government policy. It is known within government that our dependence on foreign companies is a national security risk but the details are being kept from the public.

“We have a right to know what the consequences of years of pandering to Big Tech mean for the UK. The Government must be transparent about the risks and show how it is taking steps to make the UK’s more resilient to foreign interference.”

Siân Berry MP said:

“Cross-party MPs are urging the Government to address the glaring risks to our citizens from the choices made for our critical digital infrastructure. Our over-reliance on foreign tech giants for the digital systems that keep the country running, combined with temperamental Trump in the White House, leaves us open to the very real possibility of foreign interference or even service withdrawal. 

“With my fellow MPs, I am sounding the alarm and urging Ministers to update the risk register, while continuing to push for a digital sovereignty strategy that would build up homegrown tech resilience and protect our national security.”

Clive Lewis MP said:

“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 corporation free rein in our public institutions.

It’s vital that work starts urgently on alternatives to Big Tech dominance.”