Heinlein Advocates Open Source for Digital Sovereignty

In a recent interview, Jutta Horstmann, Co-CEO of the Heinlein Group, emphasized the deep-seated dependence on US technology within Germany. Despite initiatives like Digital Independence Day aiding consumers in regaining control over their data, businesses and public administrations lag behind. The German federal government spent 500 million Euros on Microsoft software licenses in 2025, extending their contract until 2028, signaling a significant dependency on foreign technology.

Horstmann argues that achieving digital sovereignty should start in the backend systems rather than the desktop environment, indicating a strategic pivot towards strengthening open-source solutions. This shift could potentially reduce reliance on big tech firms and enhance national autonomy in technology infrastructure, which is critical for improving Germany’s technological sovereignty and autonomy in the long term.