15:04 7 February 2026
Replacement of big tech with domestic agencies rising, causing concern
The debate on digital sovereignty in Poland is intensifying, covering proposals such as a digital tax on Big Tech, creating a “national” office software suite, and reducing dependence on foreign technology providers. Experts warn, however, that sovereignty should not mean replacing global corporations with inefficient state-run monopolies. Instead, it should be built on a strong domestic private sector and fair competition.
While the government is considering a Polish open-source office package and other state-led IT solutions, critics argue that poor planning, lack of cost analysis, and centralized decision-making risk crowding out innovative Polish firms. Some experts stress that such initiatives would make more sense at the EU level, allowing scale and cost efficiency.
Others highlight systemic barriers — limited regulatory sandboxes, weak support for pilot projects, and rigid public procurement — that hinder local innovation. The consensus is that real digital independence requires smart public spending, cooperation with domestic companies, and long-term investment in future technologies like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, rather than symbolic nationalization of IT tools.
(wnp.pl)
