Key facts
- The EU plans to propose strict criteria for cloud computing services in state tenders.
- These criteria could exclude Amazon, Microsoft, and Google from strategic projects.
- The proposal is part of the European Commission's Cloud and AI Development Act.
- Mandatory non-price award criteria will include requirements for EU-developed software and hardware.
- The initiative aims to reduce Europe's dependence on U.S. tech and promote European businesses.
The European Union is actively pursuing strategies to enhance its technological sovereignty, driven by geopolitical considerations and a desire to foster domestic innovation. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on non-European technology providers, particularly in critical sectors like cloud computing and artificial intelligence, thereby strengthening the region's competitiveness and security. Fears of surveillance by the United States and potential unlawful access to European data under U.S. laws like the Cloud Act are also contributing factors.