Feb 14 • 18:44 UTC 🇸🇪 Sweden Dagens Nyheter

Editorial: Europe Must Start to Free Itself from American Tech Giants

This editorial discusses Europe's reliance on American IT services and the associated security risks.

The editorial from Dagens Nyheter highlights Europe's extensive dependence on IT services provided by American tech giants, framing it as a security concern for the continent. The article references recent developments, such as the International Criminal Court's decision to terminate agreements with Microsoft in favor of utilizing European IT systems, following a climate where international tensions have increased, especially with former U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. The piece stresses the importance of Europe taking steps towards digital independence, particularly in light of political conflicts and the vulnerabilities they expose.

Moreover, it delves into specific incidents that underline the urgency of this shift. For instance, the closure of chief prosecutor Karim Khan's email account due to sanctions imposed on him by Trump over investigations into Israeli war crimes illustrates how geopolitical dynamics can interfere with essential operations. The mention of Denmark's warnings after Trump's remarks about Greenland's annexation plans serves to emphasize the precariousness of relying on outside tech infrastructures that could become battlegrounds for political leverage.

In conclusion, the editorial calls for a considerable reassessment of Europe's digital strategies to ensure not only technological sovereignty but also greater security and resilience against potential external pressures. It urges European nations to invest in local tech ecosystems to mitigate these risks and safeguard their democratic processes against interference, making a case for a unified continental approach to technology that prioritizes local solutions over foreign dependency.

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