Europe, Wake Up: Why We Must Become Digitally Independent from the USA

It is absurd that Europe, one of the largest economic regions in the world, still runs its digital life on American infrastructure. Our data resides in US clouds, our government agencies use American software, and our AI comes from California. Every time political chaos erupts in Washington, we nervously watch.

This is not a situation; it is a dependency.

Everyday Reality: We Are Deeper in Than We Realize

The day begins with a smartphone, Android or iOS. Messages come through WhatsApp. On the way to work, we use apps that rely on Google services. Payments? Visa or PayPal. At the office: Windows, Microsoft Office, Teams, Azure.

Even in healthcare, much of the infrastructure for electronic patient records runs on US providers.

In short, our entire digital value chain is intertwined with American technology.

The Real Risk: The Kill Switch

It sounds like science fiction, but it is very real.

A so-called “kill switch” allows a system to be shut down centrally. Applied to geopolitics, this means that the US government could force American companies to stop providing services in Europe.

Legally, this is possible through emergency powers or export controls. The consequences would not necessarily be immediate, but they would be devastating:

If updates stop, security vulnerabilities quickly become critical. Without support, systems can fail completely. And any cloud outage could trigger data loss and halt essential operations.

A single day without US cloud services would be a disaster for many European companies and government agencies. In fact, there are already claims that Microsoft once disabled access to the International Court of Justice after Trump was upset about investigations against his ally Netanyahu, showing just how far these powers can extend.

The Problem: Convenience Over Strategy

We use US technology not because there are no alternatives but because it is convenient.

Microsoft works. Google functions. US AI delivers results. So everything stays as it is.

But this is precisely the problem. Short-term convenience replaces long-term strategy.

The Reality: Europe Could Already Be More Independent

The narrative that Europe “cannot do it” is false.

• Cloud? European providers exist.
• Office software? Open-source solutions are production-ready.
• AI? European models are catching up.
• Search? Local indexes are already being developed.

For example, in France, search engines with their own indexes are emerging, a fundamental step because search is critical infrastructure for democracy and the economy.

In AI, open models are being developed where training data, architecture, and methods are transparent, offering a clear alternative to US black-box systems.

Early Steps: Change Is Already Happening

Some regions are already taking action, including Schleswig-Holstein, where I live, which is pretty cool.

The state has decided to gradually transition its administration to open-source software. This means software with openly viewable and modifiable code. Instead of Microsoft products, they are now using LibreOffice for documents, Nextcloud for storage, and Thunderbird for emails.

This transition is not a simple swap of programs. One of the biggest challenges is establishing uniform file formats and standards so that different agencies can continue to collaborate smoothly.

Despite these hurdles, there are concrete steps forward: since early October, around 40,000 email accounts in the state administration run on Open-Xchange and Thunderbird.

A full transition is not yet complete, and no fixed date exists. But this example makes it clear that digital sovereignty is not just a political buzzword; it is achievable with time, coordination, and determination.

Why This Matters Now

Digital dependency is geopolitical.

Who controls infrastructure controls:

• Data
• Communication
• Innovation
• Economic development

Currently, most of this control lies outside Europe.

Furthermore, data on US provider servers is not fully protected from access by US authorities, even if it is stored in Europe.

The Unpleasant Reality

Yes, European alternatives are often less convenient, less integrated, and slower to develop. This is why many companies continue using US solutions.

Yet three-quarters of companies consider Germany too dependent on US cloud services.

The problem is recognized, but decisive action is missing.

What Must Change

Europe does not need a revolution. It needs decisive action.

1. Public institutions should consistently use European or open-source solutions
2. Digital infrastructure must be treated as critical for security
3. Investments in domestic tech companies must increase substantially
4. Dependencies must be actively reduced immediately, not someday

Conclusion: Europe Cannot Afford Complacency

Europe faces a stark choice. We can continue to rely on foreign technology and maintain convenience at the cost of sovereignty, or we can commit to building a truly independent digital ecosystem that ensures our security, control, and ability to innovate.

This is not just about replacing software. It is about taking responsibility for our own future, about making strategic choices rather than passively accepting vulnerability. It requires investment, patience, coordination, and political courage.

The tools exist. The knowledge exists. What is missing is the will to act. Every day of delay increases our dependency, leaving Europe exposed to risks that could be controlled if we dared to take decisive action.

Europe must choose autonomy, resilience, and sovereignty over comfort, short-term convenience, and dependency. Anything less is a risk we cannot afford.