The rising political tensions between the United States and the European Union, exacerbated by Donald Trump’s return to the White House, have reopened a discussion that seemed dormant: the digital sovereignty of the continent. According to a recent report from WIRED, several European governments and companies are seriously reconsidering their dependence on American tech giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
Concerns About Privacy and Geopolitical Control
Beyond Trump’s usual criticisms of European institutions and the sanctions imposed on companies like Apple and Meta, the new focal point of conflict is centered on data privacy and the potential political use of digital infrastructure. The recent dismissal of the Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) by the Trump administration has raised alarm among European authorities. This agency plays a key role in overseeing the data transfer agreement between the two blocs.
The fear is clear: if Washington decides to use its control over essential services like those of Amazon, Microsoft, or Google as a tool of pressure, the legal security and privacy of millions of European citizens and companies could be compromised. This is not a minor concern when considering the power these platforms hold in sensitive sectors such as finance, healthcare, or public administration.
European Alternatives: From Theory to Action
Despite the complexity of disentangling from these services in the short term, some countries on the continent have begun to take action. Denmark and the Netherlands, for example, are increasingly exploring European cloud solutions like Elastx (Sweden) and Exoscale (Switzerland), which have seen a rise in interest from businesses and public institutions.
In this context, voices like that of Dutch entrepreneur Bert Hubert have gained prominence. On his blog, Hubert argues that developing a European cloud is not only feasible but an urgent necessity. He acknowledges, however, that the path will not be short: “We will need a decade of hard work and constant investment, but key components and enough talent already exist in Europe to get started.”
A Turning Point for Europe?
While AWS asserts that there are no signs of a mass exodus of European customers, the perception of vulnerability remains. The current situation represents a unique opportunity for Europe to strengthen its commitment to local cloud providers and regain control over its critical infrastructure.
This situation not only highlights the risks of becoming technologically dependent on foreign countries with volatile political agendas but also opens the door to promoting European companies that have, until now, struggled to compete on uneven footing.
As the saying goes, “every cloud has a silver lining.” It may be the perfect time for Europe to seriously invest in an autonomous, strategic, and resilient digital infrastructure that ensures data control and service continuity, regardless of the political direction of foreign powers.
Reference: El Hacker