Key facts
- Around 80% of Europe's digital infrastructure and technology comes from outside the EU.
- A majority of EU citizens want European-controlled digital infrastructure.
- Willingness to pay more for EU-based digital services varies widely across member states.
- Security, reliability, and data protection are primary motivators for switching to EU providers.
- The European Commission has introduced a tech sovereignty package to boost the bloc's domestic tech sector.
A significant majority of Europeans desire greater digital sovereignty, seeking to reduce their reliance on technology and digital infrastructure predominantly sourced from outside the European Union. A recent Eurobarometer report indicates that approximately 80% of Europe's digital infrastructure originates from non-EU countries, with US and Chinese tech giants dominating the market.
Despite this heavy dependence, a strong sentiment exists among EU citizens to prioritize investments in and adoption of EU-controlled digital alternatives. Support for this shift is particularly high in countries like Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. This desire is driven by concerns over security, reliability, and the protection of personal data.
However, the willingness to translate this sentiment into action, by switching to EU-based digital service providers even if it incurs higher costs, varies considerably across member states. While Danes, Swedes, and Croatians show higher willingness, citizens in Estonia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic are less inclined. This difference is partly attributed to varying perceptions of digital tools as either a commodity or critical infrastructure, with younger demographics and men generally more open to making the switch.
In response to these concerns and to bolster its domestic tech sector, the European Commission has unveiled a tech sovereignty package. This initiative focuses on cloud infrastructure, AI services, open source, and chip manufacturing. The proposed legislation includes measures to prevent non-European companies from winning public contracts in sensitive sectors like defense and healthcare, aiming to mitigate risks associated with foreign government control over critical digital infrastructure, often referred to as a 'kill switch' scenario.