Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/26/europe_has_second_thoughts_about/
Source: The Register
Title: Under Trump 2.0, Europe’s dependence on American clouds has become a worry
Feedly Summary: Technologist Bert Hubert tells The Reg Microsoft Outlook is a huge source of geopolitical risk
Interview Europeans are starting to worry that US companies’ dominance of the cloud represents untenable risk.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:**
The text discusses growing concerns in Europe regarding the dominance of US cloud providers, particularly Microsoft, and the associated risks related to data sovereignty, privacy, and over-dependence on specific technologies. Following recent geopolitical shifts, there’s a collective realization that reliance on US-based cloud services could pose significant vulnerabilities, leading European leaders and organizations to reassess their cloud strategies.
**Detailed Description:**
The content highlights critical sentiments surrounding the use of US cloud services within European governments and enterprises, spurred by changes in political climates and security concerns. Key points from the discussion include:
– **Trust Issues:**
– The text describes a shift in sentiment towards US cloud providers, particularly Microsoft, framed as stemming from the unpredictability of the US political climate. Concerns were amplified by events such as the Trump administration’s abrupt policy shifts regarding international relations.
– A notable quote illustrates the fear that US tech companies, often subjected to US laws and policies, may not prioritize European data privacy or sovereignty.
– **Data Sovereignty Crisis:**
– The text recounts how European reliance on US cloud services has increased dramatically since the Snowden revelations, leading to a stark realization of the risks involved in such dependence.
– Hubert discusses how European entities must wrestle with potential data access by US intelligence agencies under legislation that obligates companies to comply with US federal demands, raising alarms about data security.
– **Practical Dilemmas:**
– The discussion explains the impending deadline for organizations relying on Microsoft Office, as they are pressured to migrate to Microsoft 365, which is contingent on reliance on Microsoft’s cloud.
– There’s a call to consider the risks of having sensitive governmental operations tied exclusively to a foreign service provider, leading to operational vulnerabilities.
– **Alternatives and Resistance to Change:**
– Hubert acknowledges attempts to create a viable European alternative to American cloud services, although he notes the challenges organizations face in moving away from entrenched tools like Microsoft Office.
– The text highlights success stories in digital transformation efforts in some European regions, emphasizing the necessity of well-prepared migrations and training to smoothly transition away from US products.
– **Geopolitical Considerations:**
– The commentary touches on the idea that countries like Russia and China have successfully distanced themselves from US technology, hinting that Europe could theoretically do the same, but there are significant structural and cultural barriers.
– The potential for strategic misalignment between European and US interests intensifies the push towards looking for self-reliance in technology and cloud services.
– **Future Outlook:**
– Hubert suggests that Europe may need to establish its own technology stack to mitigate future risks while also claiming that Europe’s past decisions, particularly in its embrace of monopolistic US services, have directly contributed to its current dilemma.
– The balance between adopting innovative technologies like AI and maintaining sovereignty over data processing will remain a challenge for European institutions and companies moving forward.
The interconnected themes of trust, data sovereignty, and the strategic inevitability of rethinking cloud dependencies make this content pivotal for professionals in security, compliance, and governance within the AI, cloud, and infrastructure sectors.