Europe Must Build Digital Sovereignty to Escape Dangerous US Tech Dependence
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/johnny-ryan. "Europeans are dangerously reliant on US tech. Now is a good time to build our own | Johnny Ryan | The Guardian." February 17, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
Europe is dangerously dependent on American tech companies, giving Trump power to shut down European digital life whenever he wants. Europe should build its own tech infrastructure instead of relying on systems controlled by a hostile foreign leader.
Conclusion
Europe should urgently develop its own technology infrastructure to achieve digital sovereignty and escape dangerous dependence on US tech companies
Premises
- Europe's reliance on US tech gives Trump effective control over European digital life, as demonstrated by sanctions against ICC judges
- US tech dependence extends to critical infrastructure including military systems, with countries like Denmark fearing weapon deactivation threats
- Building alternative tech infrastructure is technically feasible, as most enterprise software was perfected decades ago and has become 'enshittified'
- Several European initiatives already demonstrate successful moves toward digital sovereignty (Austria's military, French government video conferencing, Dutch priorities)
- Recent EU agreements to create 'one market' and 'buy European' policies provide the political framework needed for tech independence
- European public opinion supports reduced US influence and increased EU-level decision-making, especially after the Greenland crisis
Assumptions
- US tech companies will comply with Trump administration demands to restrict European access
- Digital sovereignty is a legitimate and necessary goal for European security
- Europe has sufficient technical talent and resources to build competitive alternatives
- Political will can overcome decades of fragmented national approaches
- US tech dominance represents a greater threat than the costs of building European alternatives