France, Germany Pledge European Digital Backbone as 2 Spy Agencies Drop Palantir
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · Jul 17
France, Germany Pledge European Digital Backbone as 2 Spy Agencies Drop Palantir
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Jul 17
Summary
France and Germany said Friday they will examine building a European sovereign digital backbone, combining data-centric security, AI and cloud solutions from both countries.
The move is aimed at strengthening data sovereignty and cutting European dependence on U.S. technology, with Palantir emerging as the clearest target.
June brought two concrete shifts: France’s domestic intelligence service said it was ending its Palantir contract, while Germany’s spy agency chose French rival ChapsVision instead.
The pledge, announced after talks between Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron in Berlin, signals a broader push for European control over sensitive digital infrastructure.
How will Europe ensure its new sovereign tools protect citizens' rights better than the foreign tech they replace?
Can Europe build a true Palantir rival, or is its sovereignty quest doomed to create second-rate defense technology?
As Europe builds its own defense tech, is the transatlantic military alliance heading for a deep technological fracture?
Europe’s €300 Billion Digital Sovereignty Drive: How France and Germany Are Building an Independent AI and Security Backbone by 2035
Overview
On July 17, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a joint plan to build a European sovereign digital backbone, following high-level talks in Berlin. This marks a major shift as France and Germany aim to control their own digital infrastructure and reduce dependence on non-European technology. The push for digital sovereignty quickly led to real changes, such as French and German intelligence agencies replacing Palantir’s software with ChapsVision’s ArgonOS. This move reflects growing political resistance to foreign tech providers and highlights Europe’s determination to secure its digital future.