FDP on digital affairs

The FDP wants to protect Germany better against espionage, sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks, which it attributes mainly to Russia and China. Manufacturers would have to build in security from the start and be liable for damage from vulnerabilities. The state would refrain from using state trojans.

The FDP wants more protection against attacks from the internet. Makers should build their products to be safe from the start. They should pay for damage caused by security gaps. The state should not use spy software on devices.

The public would be actively informed about the background and the originators of such attacks. State responsibilities for cybersecurity would be reorganized. A regulated way of handling vulnerabilities would ensure that gaps in IT systems are closed quickly. Know-how on software and hardware would be built up in Germany and Europe, including through more data centers.

The FDP wants a dedicated digital ministry to steer the digitalization of public administration uniformly nationwide. It would be formed from existing departments of other ministries. For network expansion, the party relies mainly on private companies.

The FDP wants a new ministry for digital matters. It should steer digital government across the country. Departments from other ministries would move there. Mostly companies should build fast internet.

The Interior Ministry would give up responsibility for digital administration because, in the FDP's view, the issue was neglected there. The new ministry would be able to stop misguided developments elsewhere in government. The party wants public subsidies for fiber and mobile networks only where expansion does not pay off for private firms. Competition among telecom providers would be strengthened.

The FDP wants citizens and businesses to be able to handle all government services online and to provide information only once. Analog processes would be replaced by digital ones rather than running both in parallel.

The FDP wants government offices to go digital. Everyone should have a right to online services. People should give their data only once. Paper processes should end. Helpers in offices support people who find this hard.

Registers such as the residents', business and health registers would be fully digitized and linked. A single platform based on the "Government as a Platform" model would host all digital government applications. The DeutschlandID would serve as the digital citizen account, and a digital wallet on the smartphone would hold the ID card, driver's license and other documents. Terminals in offices and human digital guides are meant to ensure no one is left out. An AI assistant would also help people with online government procedures.