Nov 25, 2024 11 min read germany

Postcard from Berlin: Germany's digital missteps

A domestic political stalemate and a lack of policymaking direction have undermined the country's ability to steer digital rules worldwide

This image was created via DALL·E.

GUTENTAG, THIS IS DIGITAL POLITICS. I'm Mark Scott, and you find me waiting for my flight back home from Berlin's Brandenburg airport. I'm in Paris this week (Nov 27-28) to speak about tech sovereignty. If you're around, get in touch here.

I'm also speaking about AI-generated disinformation (or, frankly, the lack of it) during the 2024 global election cycle — just about now (1pm CET/noon GMT/7am ET). Watch along here.

— Despite its economic and political clout, Germany is punching well below its weight on digital issues. That's a missed opportunity. Both for Berlin and other Western capitals.

— Ireland holds a nationwide election on Nov 29. Big Tech's role in propping up the country's finances — and whether that will continue under the incoming Trump presidency — is in the spotlight.

— The US Chips Act has led to a combined $51.6 billion in public grants and loans for 23 companies working on 35 projects in 20 US states.

Happy early Thanksgiving, everyone.

Let's get started:

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