A . B A S I C P R I N C I P L E S O F O U R D I G I TA L P O L I C Y Digitisation and societal development A strong digital economy is a fundamental building block of a competitive service society and industrial nation. Information and communications technology (ICT) represents a key technology for Germany as a location for business and investment. ICT drives innovation, increases productivity and contributes to safeguarding sustainable growth, prosperity and employment. Today, Germany’s ICT industry generates almost 85 billion euros of economic value added, and therefore contributes more to the economy than the traditional industries such as mechanical engineering or automotive. The sales figures also speak for themselves, with this industry generating turnover of some 228 billion euros globally. And, with more than 86,000 companies and 900,000 employees, the industry is an important factor for job creation in Germany. For every 1,000 jobs created in the ICT sector, 941 additional jobs are created in upstream industries. It is estimated that companies will improve their productivity by 30 percent with the transition to Industry 4.0. The process that is to be set in motion with the Digital Agenda is intended to help Germany further exploit the opportunities presented in the areas of Industry 4.0, 3D, smart services, big data and cloud computing. Innovations and new business models are emerging in the fields of industry, agriculture, energy, health, traffic and education in particular. However, the Internet does more than merely drive growth and innovation. It also facilitates participation in societal developments and decision-making processes, and thus strengthens the foundations of our democracy. The use of digital networking also has a role to play in facing major societal challenges, such as the need for a sustainable energy transition and a future-proof healthcare system, difficulties associated with demographic changes, the challenge of reconciling family and working life, and the need for greater mobility and excellence in education. However, despite all the positive effects of digitisation, the associated risks and threats cannot be denied. For example, the catchphrase “big data” refers to the ever increasing volume of digital information that can be used by organisations to make predictions about people’s everyday habits and behaviours in a way that was never before possible. This use of data is based on the storage and analysis of huge volumes of data and may have serious implications for freedom of action and the protection of privacy. Moreover, people are already concerned about the increasing 5 prevalence of cybercrime, for example, when shopping or banking online. Meanwhile, the sinister threat of cyber espionage is ever present – not only for our economy and citizens but also for the state. Finally, increasingly complex and interconnected digital technologies could lead to new forms of cyber attacks that threaten the common good. In the face of these challenges, we must work with all stakeholders – in particular at a European level – to formulate solutions that do not diminish the opportunities presented to all of us by digitisation. If, as recent surveys indicate, half of all Internet users do not feel that their data is safe online, we have good cause to feel alarmed: the trust of users is not only essential to digital communication and transactions between citizens, but also to the business models on which the network economy is based. The use of encryption and other security mechanisms is necessary to ensuring Internet safety. Companies must also bear a large degree of responsibility in this regard by making these technologies easy to access and use for all Internet users. For our part, we will make citizens aware of existing security risks and support companies in the use of secure information and communications technologies. Where necessary, we will also offer our citizens services that enable safe use of the Internet. Nevertheless, it is the common duty of industry, science and policymakers to establish secure information systems and to make these available for the common good. Value systems in the digital world A clear line between the “real” and the “virtual” world no longer exists. Digitisation can be viewed rather as adding another dimension to our lives. Our social coexistence remains intact – albeit in an extended form online. Therefore, German policies relating to digitisation will be guided by the core values and accepted rules on which our coexistence is based. Our value systems are based on our constitution. The freedom of the individual must continue to be protected in a digital world. Data protection, the integrity of networks and the transparency of data usage serve to safeguard our democracy, and must be championed more vocally at both a European and a global level. Therefore, we must continue to ensure that our existing value systems are not lost in the digital world, and that they continue to provide a framework for our future coex-