Politics Theory Other Digital Sovereignty and resisting the tech giants w/ Cecilia Rikap
Aug 6, 2025
Cecilia Rikap, an Associate Professor in Economics at University College London, dives into the interconnectedness of tech giants and government policies. She critiques Keir Starmer's Labour Party for yielding to tech monopolies, questioning the implications for digital sovereignty. The discussion highlights how U.S. tech dominance affects global economic disparities and explores the complex ties between Silicon Valley and political power, advocating for a public-led approach that empowers citizens and promotes sustainability.
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UK Entrenches Microsoft Ties
- Cecilia Rikap warns the UK government is embedding Microsoft deeply into its infrastructure and decision-making.
- This risks weakening independent watchdogs and national digital sovereignty.
Public Data At Risk In Deals
- Cecilia Rikap warns OpenAI and similar agreements raise real questions about sharing public datasets with private US companies.
- She flags unclear terms and potential loss of government control over sensitive data.
AI Action Plan Pushes U.S. Cloud
- Cecilia Rikap highlights the US AI action plan pushes allied nations to adopt U.S. AI and cloud providers.
- She warns this strategy exports dependence instead of building local capabilities.
