Cybersecurity Policy Report, Digital Rights Group Seeks Cyber ‘Sovereignty’ for U.K., (Jan 6, 2026)
Cybersecurity legislation being debated today in the United Kingdom’s House of Commons should be amended to wean the U.K. off of U.S. technology products and services, according to a U.K. digital rights group.
The Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill aims to improve “the security and resilience of network and information systems used or relied on in connection with the carrying on of essential activities,” the Open Rights Group (ORG) noted in a policy brief.
“The obvious question is: how, in a world of dependence on US big tech vendors, from Amazon, Google and Microsoft, through to Palantir, can the UK government ensure the ‘security and resilience of essential activities’?” ORG asked.
The debate over the Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill “offers an opportunity to scrutinise the government’s approach to Digital sovereignty risks, whether from Chinese technology or dependence on US tech firms,” it said.
A digital sovereignty strategy would offer “an opportunity to set a path for growth and innovation in the UK tech sector,” it added.
U.K. lawmakers should consider what might happen if a U.S. tech company cut services to U.K. critical infrastructure or used its presence to collect data from U.K. citizens or businesses, among other things, ORG said.
“The strategy should also ensure that Open Source software and interoperable systems are prioritised in the systems the UK uses and maintains for essential services and across government,” it said.
“Just as relying on one country for the UK’s energy needs would be risky and irresponsible, so is overreliance on US companies to supply the bulk of our digital infrastructure,” James Baker, ORG’s platform power programme manager, said in a news release.
“Now more than ever, the UK needs to build and protect sovereignty over its digital infrastructure, and not leave itself vulnerable to the policies and actions of foreign powers such as the US and China,” Mr. Baker said.
“Although the US is a historical ally, it’s assertion that it will use hard power to achieve its political, economic and military goals should raise concerns among parliamentarians in the UK,” he added. “The Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill is an opportunity to improve the UK’s control over its infrastructure.”
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