A debate that goes beyond social media
Many cultural organizations have been using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for audience engagement for years. At the same time, awareness is growing (opens in new tab) that these platforms have their own rules, with algorithms we have no control over. This has already led to experiments with alternatives, such as proprietary community platforms or federated networks like Mastodon and PeerTube.
But the current discussion goes deeper. Increasingly, it is about the systems that determine daily operations: document management, email, calendars, and cloud storage. These office solutions are so deeply intertwined with our work processes that dependency on a limited number of largely non-European technology companies has become enormous.
Digital infrastructure as a political issue
This renewed focus on digital dependency is not separate from global unrest. Rising tensions and differences in legislation painfully reveal that our digital infrastructure is not a neutral tool but a strategic and legal issue. European institutions increasingly speak in this context about 'digital sovereignty': the extent to which countries and organizations truly have control over their own data and communication.
Researchers now often compare this digital dependency to our earlier strategic dependency on foreign energy. Just as we did not want the heating in our buildings to depend on geopolitical whims, there is now growing awareness that we must regain control over our data and software.
Political urgency
In the Netherlands, this urgency is reflected in the political agenda (opens in new tab). In the 2026 coalition agreement, digital autonomy is directly linked to our national resilience and the quality of public services. It is acknowledged that transitioning to alternative, sovereign solutions is technically possible, but it requires time, investments, and clear conditions from the government.
Parallel to this, societal initiatives are emerging, such as the Action Plan Digital Autonomy (opens in new tab) presented by PublicSpaces and ECP in early 2026. The message is clear: individual organizations cannot reduce this enormous dependency on their own. A collective course is needed. Collaboration and shared choices are the way to develop collective strength as a sector.
Both necessity and opportunity
For the cultural sector, this is both a necessity and an opportunity. Cultural institutions have a public mission; they manage our collective memory and provide a platform for free expression. If the technology used for this is in the hands of foreign companies, there is a risk to independence. In a shifting geopolitical landscape, control over these systems could potentially be used as a tool of power.
When relations with the country of origin come under pressure, we are vulnerable: from unilateral price increases and changes in conditions to restrictions on access to our own data and software. You then become part of a strategic chess game where, as an individual organization, you have little influence. This dependency is particularly complex for smaller organizations with limited IT capacity.
No break, but a shift
The reality is, of course, more stubborn. Large tech companies offer solutions that are stable, user-friendly, and perfectly integrated. European or open-source alternatives often require more technical knowledge, different budgets, and new agreements on collaboration. Therefore, this process is not a sudden break but a gradual, strategic shift.
What becomes clear in the process: digital infrastructure is no longer a peripheral process. It is a fundamental choice that affects the autonomy and future resilience of virtually all sectors and, with that, our entire digital infrastructure.
The first step: the value question
The cultural sector is part of a broader societal debate in which technology is no longer just a tool but also a political subject. This raises the question: on what foundation do we want to build our organizations?
To initiate a movement, it is good to return to the core. Before you can look at the technology, it is essential to determine where the integrity as a public institution begins. The most important question every organization can ask itself is the 'value question.' In our next article, we will delve deeper into this question and explore how you can align your choices with the public values of your organization. This will be published online soon.
Continue the conversation in the community
Have you already taken steps to become less dependent on Big Tech? Or are you encountering questions or barriers that you would like to discuss with peers? In the DEN community, we share practical experiences, tools, and strategies for a digitally resilient sector. Read more here (opens in new tab).
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