Source URL: https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/you-can-no-longer-base-your-government-and-society-on-us-clouds/
Source: Hacker News
Title: It is no longer safe to move our governments and societies to US clouds
Feedly Summary: Comments
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:** The text critiques the European dependence on American cloud services, emphasizing the risks associated with transferring data and governmental functions to the U.S. It questions the legal justifications for such actions and urges European countries to explore local alternatives to mitigate risks, especially in light of recent political changes in the U.S.
**Detailed Description:**
The text presents a compelling argument regarding the implications of European nations relying on American cloud services for governmental functionalities and data management. Key insights include:
– **Dependence on U.S. Cloud Services:**
– The author warns against the heavy reliance on American cloud providers, highlighting the risks associated with depending on the “goodwill” of the U.S. government.
– Challenges the narrative that shifts towards American cloud services are purely based on convenience, arguing that such moves compromise not only data privacy but also national security.
– **Legal Framework Concerns:**
– Points out the inadequate legal justifications for transferring data to American companies.
– References how recent political developments, particularly under Donald Trump, have rendered existing privacy frameworks obsolete, diminishing the legal grounds for data transfers.
– **Critique of Current Policies:**
– The notion that using American software is justified by its user-friendliness is critiqued as shortsighted, suggesting that familiarity should not come at the expense of security and autonomy.
– The author argues that despite a clear vision of the risks, many policymakers continue to advocate for transferring data under misleading legal arguments.
– **Call for Action:**
– Urges European governments to consider investing in local solutions rather than defaulting to American software, which could result in significant revenue opportunities for European tech industries.
– Highlights a need for bravery in adopting alternative technologies that may require an initial adjustment period.
– **Potential Risks:**
– Warns that if European businesses assume total reliance on U.S. services, they risk operational continuity as data and processes could be halted by U.S. authorities.
– Emphasizes the precarious position of maintaining access to data, with the possibility of being “held hostage” by American firms.
By distilling these points, the text serves as an urgent call for reassessment of digital sovereignty, emphasizing the implications for security, privacy, and compliance in an increasingly interconnected world dominated by powerful U.S. tech giants. This situation poses critical questions for security and compliance professionals regarding the safeguards necessary when engaging with external cloud services and the strategic importance of preserving data sovereignty.