Wouter Tebbens ⁂Jun 4, 2025

#DigitalSovereignty is at the top of the political agenda, finally, that's good. But strange things (or not so much) are happening.

Like this one: The Luxembourg gov is moving to Google Distributed Cloud, see https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/luxembourg-govt-launches-sovereign-cloud/ and it is framed as "sovereign".

The Dutch minister for Digital Affairs (outgoing) is so inspired and might follow.

But wait a minute: a managed cloud service by Google, how much sovereignty does that give to you?

Seems more like a case of #SovereigntyWashing

Luxembourg gov't launches sovereign cloud

Cloud offering result of partnership between Clarence SA and Luxembourg's government

Show threadWouter Tebbens ⁂Jun 4, 2025

About Google Sovereign Cloud, and Distributed Cloud hosting:
"giving customers flexibility and choice",

-> yes, of course, but always dependent on Google HQ, and the Capitol.

https://cloud.google.com/sovereign-cloud

Show threadWouter Tebbens ⁂Jun 4, 2025

What happened to the ICC - being blocked by Microsoft at Trump's orders - can happen as much with these sovereignwashing clouds from Google, isn't it?

If you didn't read about the ICC being cut of from their email and cloud, read this: https://www.techzine.eu/news/privacy-compliance/131536/microsofts-icc-blockade-digital-dependence-comes-at-a-cost/

Microsoft's ICC blockade: digital dependence comes at a cost

In February, the United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. As a result, Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has no

Techzine Global
Show threadWouter Tebbens ⁂Jun 4, 2025
Likewise Microsoft has made their commitments to European sovereignty, https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/04/30/european-digital-commitments/
Each of these 5 points is highly disputable to not say: false.
1) of course M$ wants to shape the EU AI ecosystem
2) how is M$ going to guarantee "EU digital resilience when there's geopolitical volatility"? They must follow US laws, see ICC case.
3) "protect privacy of European data": how can we audit this? There are many court cases signalling the opposite.
Microsoft announces new European digital commitments - Microsoft On the Issues

As a multinational company, Microsoft believes in trans-Atlantic ties that promote mutual economic growth and prosperity.

Microsoft On the Issues
Show threadWouter Tebbens ⁂
4) "protect and defend Europe's cybersecurity": it is wellknown that a systems monoculture (many Win computers) makes them weak spots for attack
5) "strengthen Europe's competitiveness, even oss" well that's laughable! Of course with github they publish lots of oss, but economically they're a huge drain, see e.g. the #AsterèsReport
Jun 4, 2025 at 8:22amWeb
Show threadWouter Tebbens ⁂Jun 4, 2025

So, be aware of #SovereigntyWashing

Of course #BigTech will do everything to claim they're committed to #publicvalues and sovereignty.

Real steps towards sovereignty are about emancipating us from these tech oligopolies, set up infra under our control, auditable, open source and with local & EU service providers.

Is it easy? Nope, but step by step we can do it, all together. And generate a few million jobs in the process, in the EU.

Show threadOpen RiskJun 4, 2025

@Wtebbens

its not just the obvious reality that US bigtech is ultimately controlled by the US admin (Nothing sinister, just like all private companies in all countries).

But US bigtech has by now fully drifted into loosely regulated digital conglomerate structures where all sorts of business models (including privacy destroying adtech) commingle.

Well governed societies should want nothing to do with these entities. They are embodying a disastrous take on how to organize digital society.