Ruth MottramMar 19, 2025

From EUmail to EuTube and Feuerfox, it's time for #EU + national govt to put money where European tech development is and help wean the continent off #UStech - fantastic, practical piece by @bert_hubert.

https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/now-how-to-get-that-european-cloud/

But how to get to that European cloud? - Bert Hubert's writings

The very short version: It has now become clear that European governments can no longer rely on American clouds, and that we lack good and comprehensive alternatives. Market forces have failed to deliver a truly European cloud, and businesses won’t naturally buy as yet unproven cloud services, even when adorned with a beautiful European 🇪🇺 flag, so for now nothing will happen. This article is part of a series of posts on (European) cloud challenges.

Bert Hubert's writings
Show threadAndrew DalkeMar 19, 2025

@Ruth_Mottram @bert_hubert

I would like to also see discussion about weaning the #EU off of US smartphones.

My government, Sweden, pretty much expects people to use Microsoft, Google, or Apple devices to access government-run digital services, with only rare support for other OSes/systems.

Show threadGuillaume GaullierMar 19, 2025

@dalke If BankID works on a de-googled phone (for example one from Murena), I suppose there will be no problem at all. And you can even fall back to the small OTP device instead of the app (although much less convenient).

All government sites I need to use have always worked fine in desktop Firefox, even with uBlock and relatively strict privacy settings. Haven't tested on Linux yet, but I don't see why it would cause problems (the browser is mostly the same across different systems). I will test this soon anyway, replacing an old dying Macbook by a Linux laptop this week.

@Ruth_Mottram @bert_hubert

Show threadAndrew DalkeMar 19, 2025

@Guillawme @Ruth_Mottram @bert_hubert

I have asked. BankID said they do not support other OSes. If it happens to work, they do not promise it will continue to work.

What small OTP device? I've not heard mention of it.

I also don't want a smartphone at all; that's another topic.

https://www.vgregion.se/ov/hitta-vaccinationstider-vgr/vaccinationstider-covid-19/ does not work on Firefox for Mac with location services turned off. In the console:

Uncaught TypeError: navigator.geolocation is undefined

I reported it last year. They have not fixed it.

Vaccinationstider covid-19 - Västra Götalandsregionen

Här kan du se mottagningar som har lediga tider för vaccination mot covid-19 i VGR.

Show threadRuth Mottram
@dalke @Guillawme @bert_hubert IN DK we have MitID digital ID verification - It very often fails with firefox browsers, though not all - I have managed to get it to work by using Chrome once and then going back to Firefox, but it's definitely not ideal and they very clearly state they only support Chrome on their website, which seems morally at least like giving a big subsidy to Google...
Mar 19, 2025 at 1:07pmWeb
Show threadAndrew DalkeMar 19, 2025

@Ruth_Mottram @Guillawme @bert_hubert

I'm sure the US will allow Denmark to continue using Chrome so long as you give them Greenland. *sigh*

I've been trying to find a legal opinion on if agreeing to Google's Terms of Service can be called voluntary if the only supported/reasonable way to get services from the government is by agreeing to those ToS.

Are Danish schools teaching enough contract law so kids are fully able to understand the terms?

(These are musings. No answer expected.)