Written by
Lorina Balan
, Digital Marketer
Donald Trump is back, and the global digital landscape is about to shift. While the new administration hasn’t explicitly addressed data sovereignty yet, one thing is clear: global data flows are about to get a lot more complicated. If his last term is any indication, we can expect a renewed focus on economic protectionism, national security, and an “America First” approach to technology. For companies and governments outside the U.S., particularly in Europe, this raises a big question: How can we keep control of our own data when U.S. laws reach far beyond American borders?
Trump’s return and the CLOUD Act impact
During his previous term, Trump’s administration left a lasting mark on tech policy. The CLOUD Act of 2018 lets U.S. authorities demand data from American companies even when that data is stored in Europe. This means that even if European businesses follow strict rules like GDPR, European data can still fall under U.S. legal scrutiny. In simple terms, relying on U.S. cloud services exposes European data to foreign legal demands and political pressure.
With Trump’s return, expect more executive orders and potential sanctions targeting companies that resist U.S. demands. The risk is clear: continuing to depend on U.S. tech giants may turn European digital assets into geopolitical pawns.
🛑 What if tomorrow, the U.S. government forced Microsoft to block access to all data and Europe is left behind? 🛑 What happens if U.S. cloud services become a geopolitical weapon, just like sanctions against Huawei?
These aren’t far-fetched scenarios. They’re a wake-up call.
Can Europe break free from U.S. Big Tech?
Europe has long prided itself on strong data protection and fair competition through regulations like GDPR. But until now, Europe has been too slow to act. Despite the talk of digital sovereignty, many European organizations, businesses and governments continue to sign contracts with Microsoft, Google, and Atlassian, not realizing the fact that trusting U.S. providers puts their digital sovereignty at risk.
At the same time, new initiatives like the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, alongside investments in local cloud solutions, are positive steps toward protecting European data, but talk is cheap without decisive action. Here's how European organizations and governments can make a difference:
✅ Investing in open-source solutions to reduce dependency on proprietary U.S. solutions
✅ Building European-controlled cloud infrastructure that isn’t subject to foreign legal overreach
✅ Mandating open standards to prevent vendor lock-in and protect national security interests
Ludovic our CEO, puts it bluntly:
Europe loves to talk about sovereignty but keeps handing its digital future to American companies. If we’re serious about this, we need to stop outsourcing our entire tech stack to Silicon Valley.
Open source as the path to digital sovereignty
Here’s the blunt truth: If Europe truly wants control, it must build an open and independent digital ecosystem. Open-source software delivers unmatched transparency, as you can inspect the code, host it yourself, and tailor it exactly to your needs. No hidden costs, no forced features, you're in full control.
Initiatives like openDesk from Zentrum Digitale Souveränität are already proving that Europe can build a secure digital ecosystem with tools like XWiki, CryptPad, OpenProject, and NextCloud that are secure, open-source, independent alternatives to American platforms.
As Ludovic always says,
If we want control, we must build our own open and independent digital ecosystem.
Reclaiming digital sovereignty
The current geopolitical context is an unmistakable signal that our current dependency on foreign technology providers is a critical vulnerability. For over 20 years, we’ve observed the pitfalls of ceding control to external tech giants whose policies, like the CLOUD Act, leave our data exposed to unforeseen legal and political pressures.
The reality is clear! U.S. legal overreach can extend its influence far beyond its borders, jeopardizing the integrity of data stored in Europe. This isn't just about policy, it’s about the very foundation of digital trust and national security. With every outsourced service, we risk surrendering a bit more of our digital autonomy.
This is a defining moment for Europe’s digital landscape. The era of hoping U.S. tech companies will “play fair” is over. Europe must own its digital future, or risk losing it entirely. The solution is as straightforward as it is challenging: invest in open-source technologies, develop efficient, locally governed cloud infrastructures, and enforce open standards that secure our digital assets. History has shown that true innovation and resilience come from owning and understanding the very tools we use.
The choices made today will echo in the security and strength of tomorrow’s digital world.
