Digital sovereignty gains urgency

Digital sovereignty, once a term used in speeches and policy discussions, has become a pressing issue for European citizens and organizations affected by American sanctions. These sanctions have led to sudden disruptions in digital services such as payment systems, streaming platforms, and messaging apps, showing how dependent Europe is on American-based infrastructure.

Impact on individuals and organizations

The consequences of American administrative decisions can extend beyond individuals to companies, administrations, and communities. If a decree or a policy change in the U.S. affects the infrastructure used, it can disrupt essential digital functions, highlighting the vulnerability of European entities reliant on American systems.

Dominance of American tech firms

A significant portion of the European cloud market is controlled by American companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Nearly 80 percent of French companies use Microsoft 365, which has become the default choice rather than a deliberate decision, showing how deeply embedded these firms are in daily operations.

Investments and the illusion of sovereignty

While France is investing heavily in its data centers with funding from Japan and other international partners, including American and Gulf-based companies, the distinction between location and technological mastery is crucial. These investments create jobs but do not necessarily translate to true technological sovereignty.

Historical context of European tech decline

Europe’s current reliance on foreign technology is the result of decades of reduced domestic production of network equipment and critical components. The closures of factories and the loss of skilled workers left Europe vulnerable, a fact that became clear during the pandemic and subsequent geopolitical tensions.

Legislation and its limitations

Europe has enacted several laws aimed at improving digital resilience and technological independence, such as the Cyber Resilience Act and the AI Act. However, these laws set the framework for markets rather than directly producing the physical infrastructure or technologies needed for true sovereignty.

The need for practical steps

To address the issue, organizations must first map the tools they use and the jurisdictions they depend on. Identifying what data is most sensitive and migrating it to European hosting solutions can help reduce reliance on foreign laws and infrastructure, without aiming for total independence.

Sovereignty as control, not autarky

Digital sovereignty is not about isolation or self-sufficiency. It is about maintaining control over critical technologies and decisions, reducing dependencies that could be dangerous in a crisis. European companies will continue to work with international partners but must retain control over what matters most.

A collective effort is needed

Achieving digital sovereignty is not the task of a single company or country. Deeper cooperation between European nations, especially France and Germany, is essential. Public authorities must support European companies through procurement and certification, while businesses must treat sovereignty as a strategic priority for continuity.