La dipendenza dall’Europa dalla tecnologia statunitense è una debolezza critica
https://www.ft.com/content/30d6f79f-d1ee-49dc-bff5-719f18c1a9e5
di ___thatswhatshesaid
La dipendenza dall’Europa dalla tecnologia statunitense è una debolezza critica
https://www.ft.com/content/30d6f79f-d1ee-49dc-bff5-719f18c1a9e5
di ___thatswhatshesaid
47 commenti
So why doesn’t the European Union fund something of its own, something innovative and competitive? We have all the intellectual and financial resources. Let it be open source, let it be Linux-based, let it be a complete ecosystem like Google or Apple. Let it be an EU smartphone, laptop and TV, etc. With all the backend services like cloud, streaming or AI. Let it be transparent how our data is handled and protected in this system and stored on European servers.
Everything could be developed and produced locally and create many new jobs with high added value.
We should launch a citizens’ initiative for this.
Let me say less. Choose European
r/BuyFromEU
We should put tarrifs on the services of US tech companies. It should be a very straight forward first point of retaliation when the Orange Turd officially sanctions European exports.
Unfortunately lawmakers are entirely clueless of how tech works. The first step should be ordering the use of open standards only for all government data and communications. Software and infrastructure would automatically follow as an effect. The average lawmaker has no idea what the previous two sentences mean.
https://european-alternatives.eu
Let’s be clear: the United States has wanted exactly this from the post-war period until today, selling us their weapons and their technology to bind us to them. It will now take some time for Europe to build its own alternative, but the potential is all there.
Europe is in decline. No one respects you anymore. Your armies are in shambles. Instead of being comat ready all these years, you put your money in social programs. You want the US to fight your wars. You are at the whim of any political change in the US. The Obama admin started the Ukraine conflict in 2014. Trump came in to power and paused it. Then Biden resumed it. Now Trump is stopping it. Now look how US presidents can switch this conflicts on and off, every single time. Europe is a vassal of the US. The only solution is the rise of individual nation states.
Now, a sidelined (about a conflict on its territory) Europe feels what most of the world have been feeling these last centuries : people deciding your fate without allowing you at the discussion’s table.
Keep putting your money in social programs. Keep the high level of immigration of people you can’t even vet adequately. Don’t stop, the end is near, the symptoms are here.
EU needs to make a multi billion euro fund, to create an alternative to Microsoft asap
Well, one thing for sure is that I haven’t felt so European in my life up until now. If there’s an app or product that only comes close to an American alternative I’d definitely use that one (yes I know the irony of me posting this on an American platform).
Unite this set of 27 countries or there is no point in talking, there is no future without one country. The federation doesn’t work, or at least it would work but no one wants to, the only one is shock therapy, to unite everything
#PRÉCIS: Europe Must Break Free from America’s Digital Grip
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The transatlantic alliance as Europe has long known it is over. This was the stark reality laid bare at the recent Munich Security Conference, where US Vice-President JD Vance made it clear that Washington no longer sees Europe as an essential partner. While European leaders scramble to strengthen their defence and support Ukraine, another crisis is unfolding—one that threatens the continent’s digital sovereignty.
Big tech companies, once self-styled champions of democracy, are now aligning themselves with Donald Trump’s administration, a shift that carries alarming implications for Europe. Silicon Valley giants such as Meta, Google, OpenAI, and Palantir have become powerful players in a new geopolitical landscape, where their influence extends far beyond the boardroom. From Google renaming the Gulf of Mexico to appease Trump’s nationalist agenda, to Mark Zuckerberg lobbying against European competition fines, these companies are not merely adjusting to political winds but actively reshaping them.
Elon Musk’s growing sway over US policy, his support for far-right movements in Europe, and Palantir CEO Alex Karp’s blunt endorsement of American military power further highlight the extent to which Silicon Valley is bound to Washington’s interests. Their actions are not simply a matter of corporate survival; they reflect a deeper complicity with an administration that is hostile to European sovereignty and values.
For too long, Europe has been overly reliant on American technology, from cloud computing to artificial intelligence. Now, that dependence is a strategic vulnerability. With Trump-aligned tech companies wielding immense control over Europe’s digital infrastructure, the risks are no longer theoretical. The EU must wake up to the reality that these firms are not neutral actors but potential threats. The solution is clear. Europe must reduce its reliance on US tech and invest in its own independent digital ecosystem. If it fails to act, it risks ceding not only economic power but also its ability to defend the democratic principles it holds dear.
Ireland’s reliance on US corporates has always been a strategic weakness. There should have been a mandate set to wean ourselves off the US and create our own industries.
Maybe deregulate and make it viable to start a tech company here? We couldn’t start a simple SaaS because useless regulations would have killed us.
The European alternatives are mostly trash. Sad but true.
It’s going to take a long time, but let’s take that first step today, rather than tomorrow.
Regardless of what changes in America over the next 20/30 years, let’s not go backwards.
I don’t think people understand that American tech companies employ a lot of Europeans too. Many Europeans work remotely for American tech firms.
Better late than never! As an immigrant in Europe, I’ve been wondering about why europe is so comfortable with reliance on US tech giants and why we don’t even attempt to build our own alernatives since I came here. So glad to see people are finally waking up.
And the EU realised this now? Only after 20+ years? :O
Just blah-blah-blah. There will be no action. Euro-officials are lazy shit.
Lets see
No AI
No nuclear (France’s nukes are not EU’s nukes, UK is leasing USA nukes, they are not deciders).
No army
No balls
But mucho migranto, needs some more of that
No. Stop this blaming of US for your own moronic bureaucratic politics that treat a person on a social welfare better than a worker that’s paying for both. EU can’t innovate because you’re limiting it yourself. And when something makes the breakthrough, you rather sell it to Asian or US portfolios than secure and raise it here.
Trump is just a great excuse for your own problems. US tech that works well will be used nonetheless. Microsoft was investing 20 years to make the Majorana1. What did you do, invest in democracy?
Search the solutions.
Can’t EU just buy key American tech companies? Like Musk did with Twitter.
I think Alphabet/Google is off the table, and the most strategic tech company there is.
This is a result of globalisation. Why would you develop a sector that your allies cover off? The key is to be able to spool up a competing industry when your ally turns out to be batshit crazy. To do this you need an educated population, which Europe do have.
Trump thinks he makes america great again but he is isolating it.
All these tech dominance was only possible because of the good US – EU relations. He only sees one topic by itself and not the bigger or even the whole picture.
If he wants everything but hands nothing it’s just a matter of time that the EU will progress without the US.
Big Tech has always been predatory to innovation, every move towards a better alternative was killed from the beginning, not only in Europe also Canada, in Asia (except China) and in the US, too. There is a reason 5 companies dominate the whole market. That’s IMO the main reason we don’t have big tech in Europe, we have the know how, the institutions and societies are well functioning to cater to a great talent pool. Also, a fragmented market with cultural differences is another cause but that’s something that can be tackled.
Stop being hostile towards innovation.
In the US you can start something in your garage and grow it into a multi-billion dollar business.
In Europe everything is regulated to death, and instead of private enterprise everything depends on government grants.
Not surprisingly most new hightech companies are created in the US.
Exactly. Today US abandons Ukraine, tomorrow US will abandon Europe. NATO is effectually gone and dissolved the moment Trump sides with Putin in forcing Ukraine to surrender. Who can trust US will fight and protect Europe after Trump accuses Ukraine of starting the war for simply defending itself?
From now on Europe must look upon US if not as adversary, an indifferent stander-by at best, who will not lend a helping hand under any circumstances. If Russia invades any European country, US may side with Russia in forcing that country to surrender, just like it did Ukraine now.
So it’s time for Europe to think what to do in a post-NATO era. NATO is gone forever, and Europe can only rely on itself against any future invader like Russia. Europ must draw up a defense plan with US not put into calculation — as an potential foe if US is put into, to deal with the future challenges and threats.
We need to do a China, and quickly. They have alternatives to everything the US has now, and there’s no reason we can’t do the same thing, provided we have strong leadership.
Start using LINUX an OSS and ditch microsoft !
and on payment systems like Visa, Mastercard and Amex.
Poach US talent. Some of us already make nothing in entry-level jobs because we don’t fit the scene here.
We said that – we even called the data centers “gold mines” that we should build our selves but nooooo we were stupid and did not understand globalism.
We complained that EU has made it almost impossible to start social media because we would have to implement the same rules and moderation that Americans have been ages about – and plainly just ignored (paying fines) despite all the warnings about social media.
You got you money – and soon the people will be the ones paying, with blood?, for your beach houses.
A little fuck you from me and I will still participate in the protection – because family and friends.
As a worker in tech, I would gladly work with European businesses if given the opportunity. But also, European investors should focus more on investing in European startups more, and the legal framework should make it easier for entrepreneurs.
The fact that we have governments in Europe that rely entirely on Azure or AWS cloud infrastructure is kind of insane.
Ban most of the social networks from USA. They are really not needed in here. We were much more happier and social before those services.
Goes back to the recession in 2009, EU and US roughly neck and neck in GDP then Europe stagnated and USA shoots of 2 years later with tech. They’ve capital finance to risk on new ventures, EU has no equivalent.
I always found it a bit contradictory towards the idea of an European **Union** to depend so much critical system/services/products/resources on foreign countries and brands. Resources I somewhat get since not everything is available to get within EU in big quantities (environmental damage happens regardless, whether we’re shitting unregulated in someone else’s backyard or regulated in ours), but everything else? I learned recently how much of our government’s (Dutch) digital infrastructure is controlled by the US. [They have free reign over our government’s data](https://ioplus.nl/en/posts/trump-has-free-rein-over-dutch-government-data).
I’m not saying the EU should have gone full xenophobic isolationists mode like my Stellaris empire. But is it odd to think that you’d should be looking inwards first as much as possible, and get optional supplements from outside? Feels like we’ve been doing it the other way around.
Where some a weakness others see an opportunity. EU growth is near certain.
Tech espionage for the win.
They should’ve been getting ready for this since a year ago.
100%. We can do without their goods fairly easily but, their services; meta, Google, etc. That’s going to take a while to ween off of.
Then stop regulating everything into dust, increasing prices and making the continent unappealing to business so we can afford to make it ourselves.
Or put your fingers in your ears scream as loud as possible and hope it all works out. Again…
Uhhhhh do you want to really cripple US tech then force all transactions in euros only. EU needs to untether from the dollar and then start using euros as the main currency internationally.
Europe’s **critical weakness** isn’t just its dependence on U.S. tech—it’s the fact that it relies on the U.S. for **everything.** Defense? Check. Innovation? Check. Stability? Check. And now, instead of fixing that, they’re cozying up to China while still expecting America to foot the bill for their security. Meanwhile, they’d rather pour money into keeping their cushy welfare states afloat than invest in their own future. Barriers to growth? Check. Military spending? Nope. But sure, let’s pretend this is just about tech. **Give me a break.**
I am so fearful that the damage done by Trumps administration will have catastrophic effects for the world far past the next four years. So knots cannot be untied
During the cold war the US decided to make a change: fewer but much better weapons. The USSR could not keep up and dissolved.
I still remember Boris Johnson sneering at the Russians in 2022 bc they have no digital platforms of their own (they actually do) while WE(?) have Google, Amazon etc…