Europe Moves to End Its Dangerous Dependence on US Internet Technology
By Johan Linåker, Lund University — Published January 21, 2026
Imagine a sudden, continent-wide digital blackout that halts everyday services: local payment systems no longer function, hospitals lose access to healthcare software, work tools and critical information vanish, and communication through social media grinds to a halt. This scenario, far from science fiction, is a looming possibility given Europe’s current heavy reliance on US-based internet technologies.
The Vulnerability of European Digital Infrastructure
A handful of US technology giants dominate the global cloud computing infrastructure — the backbone of many digital services that store, manage, and process our apps and data remotely. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud control an estimated 70% of the European market, whereas European cloud providers account for just 15%. This concentration raises significant concerns about Europe’s vulnerability to service disruptions caused by technical failures, cyber-attacks, or geopolitical tensions.
Recent incidents underscore these risks. In October 2025, an AWS outage disrupted thousands of services worldwide, including banking applications. Two months later, a major incident involving Cloudflare brought platforms like LinkedIn and Zoom offline. Additionally, a massive power outage in April 2025 disrupted cloud services across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, highlighting the fragility and interdependence of current cloud infrastructures.
Europe’s Push for Digital Sovereignty
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, EU President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the urgent need for Europe to build a new form of independence in technological capabilities and security, calling it a “structural imperative” in response to shifting global dynamics. This call to action has catalyzed various initiatives aimed at regaining control over digital infrastructure.
One pioneering effort is underway in Helsingborg, Sweden, where a year-long trial is testing the functionality of public services under a hypothetical full digital shutdown. The project examines the ability of essential services—such as medical prescription delivery to elderly citizens and social care provision—to operate without digital systems. Its goal is to develop a crisis preparedness model that can be replicated by other cities and regions across Europe.
In Germany’s northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, the government has drastically cut its dependence on US-based Microsoft systems by replacing most of its licenses with open-source alternatives. This shift aims to restrict the use of global big tech services to exceptional cases by 2030. Similarly, across France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, governments are funding national and cross-border projects to develop open-source digital platforms for communication and document management. These technologies, designed to be interoperable and hosted within sovereign-controlled data centers, offer alternatives to dependency on foreign cloud providers.
In Sweden, the National Insurance Agency has developed a homegrown system for chat, video, and online collaboration hosted on domestic servers, increasingly adopted by public authorities seeking digital self-reliance.
Treating Digital Infrastructure as Critical Public Infrastructure
For Europe to mitigate risks of digital disruption effectively, digital infrastructure must be given the same strategic importance as physical infrastructures like roads, ports, and power grids. This includes maintaining control over hardware and software, performing regular maintenance, and establishing robust contingency plans.
The European Union is reinforcing this approach through frameworks aimed at cloud sovereignty, encouraging procurement policies that prioritize security, openness, and interoperability over cheapest options. The forthcoming Cloud and AI Development Act is expected to intensify these efforts, providing funds and guidance to enhance Europe’s digital autonomy.
A Collective and Individual Responsibility
While no nation or continent can achieve complete digital independence—and attempting such would be neither feasible nor desirable—Europe is striving to ensure its systems remain resilient and accessible, even amid crises. This ambition requires cooperation between governments, private companies, and citizens alike.
Individuals are encouraged to consider the digital services they rely on daily, scrutinizing where their data, communications, and personal information reside. Reflecting on who can access this data, under what conditions, and how easily it can be backed up or transferred, empowers consumers to support a more secure and sovereign digital ecosystem.
Conclusion
Europe’s current dependence on US internet technology presents clear risks to its economic security, public services, and digital sovereignty. By investing in open-source solutions, fostering regional collaboration, and treating digital infrastructure as a public good, Europe is taking critical steps to reduce vulnerability and build a more resilient digital future.
Johan Linåker is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Lund University. The research and perspectives shared in this article are supported by Lund University, a member of The Conversation UK.
This article was originally published on The Conversation.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64628/AB.wg7e6cg69
Original article: Europe wants to end its dangerous reliance on US internet technology
