Europe's Over-Reliance on US Email Platforms Raises Digital Sovereignty Concerns
A recent study by Proton and Constella Intelligence has raised concerns about Europe's over-reliance on US-based email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Hotmail. The study, while not specifying the exact ranking, highlights Austria's significant data leak involving email accounts. It also reveals that a substantial number of European countries, including the UK, Ireland, France, Portugal, and Spain, heavily depend on these platforms, posing risks to digital sovereignty and security.
The UK, for instance, has a 95% dependence on American technologies in its banking and telecommunications sectors, with similarly high percentages in utilities (89%), transportation (88%), and energy (83%). This dependence means that significant portions of local talent and financial resources are directed towards Silicon Valley, rather than being reinvested in domestic capability. Proton aims to monitor and report on further digital dependencies in Europe to identify opportunities for enhancing autonomy.
Promoting local digital solutions could encourage innovation, create jobs, and support ecosystems that align with European values and regulatory requirements. However, disruptions in essential infrastructure like email services could have knock-on effects for both business continuity and national security. The report advocates for a 'Europe First' approach to regain control over technological infrastructure and reduce risks related to privacy, service continuity, and foreign legal jurisdiction.
The over-reliance on US technology poses risks to Europe's digital sovereignty, limits control over strategic data, and exposes it to vulnerabilities associated with external providers. The study underscores the need for Europe to invest in and prioritize its own technological capabilities to ensure digital independence and resilience.
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