EU Lawmakers Push to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Cloud Providers
New legislative draft aims to bolster European technological sovereignty and digital infrastructure security.
1Legislative Push for Sovereignty
European Parliament members have introduced a joint draft report for the Cloud and AI Development Act. This proposal seeks to establish common infrastructure rules across the bloc. The primary objective is to reduce reliance on foreign technology providers while fostering the growth of domestic companies to enhance global competitiveness.
2Concerns Over External Control
Lawmakers are increasingly worried about the potential for foreign entities to disrupt critical European services. Spanish MEP Diego Solier emphasized that technological sovereignty is essential for decision-making capacity. The initiative addresses fears that external actors could leverage kill switches to deactivate vital civilian or military infrastructure during geopolitical tensions.
3Market Dominance by Hyperscalers
Data from the European Commission indicates that three non-European hyperscale cloud providers currently control over 70% of the regional market. This concentration raises significant concerns regarding data sovereignty and operational autonomy. The proposed legislation aims to triple European data center capacity within the next five to seven years to mitigate risks.
4Strategic Public Procurement Focus
The draft report encourages public authorities to prioritize European cloud service providers when making procurement decisions. Dutch MEP Reinier Van Lanschot noted that local businesses do not necessarily require subsidies but rather need access to customers. This strategy aims to create a sustainable ecosystem that allows domestic firms to compete effectively.
5Security and Infrastructure Protection
The proposal mandates common EU standards to protect critical sectors, specifically targeting healthcare, energy, and transport systems. By standardizing these requirements, the EU hopes to prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign governments. The legislation also includes provisions to streamline approval procedures for new data centers while maintaining environmental standards.
6Geopolitical Context and Risks
Tensions intensified following an incident where US-based Anthropic briefly blocked access to its AI models outside the United States. This event highlighted the vulnerability of European systems dependent on American technology. Consequently, EU leaders are accelerating efforts to secure their digital supply chains against potential disruptions from unreliable international partners.
7Legislative Timeline and Process
The draft report is scheduled for publication this Thursday, with formal discussions in parliamentary committees beginning on December 1. A provisional committee vote is set for mid-March 2027. Following this, a plenary vote is expected in April, marking a significant step toward finalizing the comprehensive Cloud and AI Development Act framework.
8Long-term Economic Implications
This legislative effort represents a broader shift toward European industrial autonomy in the digital age. By reducing dependence on foreign big tech, the EU aims to secure its strategic interests. The success of this policy will depend on the ability to scale domestic infrastructure while balancing rapid technological innovation with regulatory requirements.