A growing movement among European technology executives is urging the continent to reclaim control over its digital infrastructure, with Danish IT services company Netcompany at the center of the latest call for greater self-reliance.
In a public letter released this week, Netcompany CEO André Rogaczewski highlighted Europe’s continued dependence on foreign technologies, warning that critical areas like cloud services, social media platforms, and algorithms are dominated by providers outside the region. Rogaczewski stressed the urgent need for Europe to “bring its data home” and prioritize technologies aligned with European values.
The timing of the letter coincided with the symbolic lighting of a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Paris, emphasizing a broader message about the protection of democratic ideals in the digital age.
Rising Concerns Over Foreign Tech Dominance
The appeal from Netcompany comes at a time when the European Union is stepping up scrutiny of major U.S. cloud providers, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services, which collectively control a large portion of Europe’s cloud infrastructure market. Meanwhile, negotiations between the EU and the United States over transatlantic data governance are set to continue, amid rising tensions around data privacy and market dominance.
Rogaczewski called for the creation of European-built digital systems that are operated within the region and remain accountable to its citizens. His message reflects growing concerns that foreign control over critical digital infrastructure could undermine Europe’s economic security and democratic institutions.
Policy Momentum for a European Tech Future
Europe’s push for technological autonomy has been gaining traction through a series of new regulations such as the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act — all designed to increase oversight over tech platforms, cloud providers, and algorithmic systems.
Adding to the momentum, a coalition of leading European firms, including Airbus, Element, and Nextcloud, recently launched the “EuroStack Initiative.” The group is calling for an EU-backed sovereign infrastructure fund aimed at boosting investment in homegrown technologies and reducing reliance on non-European systems.
This shift is part of a larger global trend where technology is increasingly treated as a matter of national security. The U.S. has imposed tighter controls on semiconductor exports to China, while China is aggressively developing its own tech stack and enforcing data localization rules. Against this backdrop, Europe’s reliance on U.S. and Chinese technology is increasingly seen as a strategic vulnerability.
Building a Resilient European Tech Ecosystem
Netcompany’s push fits into a broader vision of a stronger European technology sector. The company and others are encouraging the development of local alternatives to U.S. cloud services, focusing on platforms that comply with European legal standards and ethical norms.
“Technology is fundamental to our prosperity and societal progress,” Rogaczewski stated, underscoring the need for Europe to regain control over the systems that power its economies and communities.
Several initiatives are already underway to support this goal. The GAIA-X project, for instance, seeks to create a European-based cloud ecosystem. Other efforts, like SiPearl’s chip development program and the EU’s AI Continent Action Plan, aim to enhance Europe’s capabilities in semiconductors, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
In response to these sovereignty concerns, U.S. tech giants are also adapting. Amazon Web Services, for example, has announced a €7.8 billion investment in a dedicated “European Sovereign Cloud” that promises data residency and control for EU customers.
According to Shreeya Deshpande, a senior analyst at Everest Group, Europe’s coordinated efforts are steadily building momentum towards achieving greater digital and AI sovereignty.
Sovereignty Without Isolation
Importantly, European leaders are emphasizing that striving for digital sovereignty does not mean isolating themselves from the global tech ecosystem. Instead, they seek to build resilient, interoperable systems that protect European interests while remaining open to global collaboration.
New approaches such as “data embassies” and sovereign cloud frameworks are being explored to enable legal and operational control over sensitive data while maintaining international connectivity.
At its heart, this movement is framed as a defense of democracy. Rogaczewski cautioned that overdependence on foreign platforms could endanger Europe’s security, sovereignty, and democratic values.
By linking the campaign to the lighting of the Statue of Liberty — a powerful symbol of shared democratic principles — Netcompany’s message was clear: Europe must stand united in defending its freedoms in the digital age.