Tribune | By David Carrero, co-founder of Stackscale (Grupo Aire)
In times of political and geostrategic turmoil, the most transformative opportunities often arise. What we are currently experiencing between the United States and Europe—especially with the rising tensions following Donald Trump’s re-election—is not only a wake-up call for governments but also for the entire European business landscape. This is particularly true for those of us who have been advocating for Europe to invest in its own cloud infrastructure.
Major platforms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud have provided—and continue to provide—powerful, robust, and highly scalable solutions. No one disputes that. But what we can no longer ignore is that this technological dependence on foreign companies increasingly poses a strategic risk. It’s not just about where our data is hosted; it’s about who ultimately controls it.
The recent concerns regarding the future of data transfer agreements between the U.S. and the EU, the political instrumentalization of technology, or the questioning of guarantees like privacy protection provide clear evidence: Europe needs its own cloud. An independent, modern, secure infrastructure, with a legal basis aligned with our regulations and values.
Stackscale and the European ecosystem: more than an alternative, a necessity
At Stackscale, we have been demonstrating for years that building a European cloud is possible. And we are not alone. Numerous companies, like us, offer cloud services based on European infrastructure, managed from Europe and under European legislation. Businesses that compete daily with global giants, not just on price, but on proximity, customization, flexibility, and regulatory compliance.
However, until now, there has been a lack of clear and decisive commitment from many institutions and large corporations. The convenience of sticking with “the usual” has outweighed the long-term strategic vision. Now, the context compels us to react.
It is time to look inward, to discover and value the European technological ecosystem. We have the talent, experience, innovation, and, most importantly, the will to create a solid and lasting alternative. We are not talking about protectionism; we are talking about sovereignty. About ensuring that European data—many of which are critical—are protected by our laws, managed by our professionals, and hosted in our territories.
Betting on our own is building resilience
The transition to a genuinely European cloud model will not be instant or straightforward. It requires collaboration, investment, and political and industrial commitment. But above all, it requires a new mindset: understanding that the cloud is not just technology; it is the strategic infrastructure of a country and a continent.
Therefore, from here, I invite companies, public administrations, and citizens to reflect. To ask where their data is, who manages it, and under what guarantees. And to explore, compare, and trust the many European alternatives that are already ready to take on that role.
Because we are not talking about the future. We are talking about the present and our ability to build a digitally sovereign Europe.
David Carrero is co-founder of Stackscale, a European provider of cloud infrastructure and bare-metal specializing in private environments and high availability.