A When the first submarine cables were laid in the mid-19th century, scientists weren’t sure whether they would reach the ocean floor. Today we no longer puzzle about the depth of the sea, but rather about the depth of the digital world. The network of new cables connects the world. But the power of data flows is tipped towards the USA.
Politicians have been holding digital summits for months to make the EU more independent. The fact that the EU now classifies WhatsApp as so large that it has to adhere to the stricter rules of the Digital Services Act (DSA) is good; likewise, that they are a Proceedings initiated against the social media platform X has, whose AI Grok created sexualized images of real people.
Both measures can be viewed as a step towards so-called “digital sovereignty”, even if it is unclear what this is all about. The self-determined use of digital can mean very different things for politics, business, civil society groups and individuals.
It’s big Fear of the kill switch, the total failure, which would threaten if the services of IT companies from the USA – Trump has the opportunity to order this – were suddenly no longer accessible in Europe. Around 70 percent of the cloud infrastructurewhich we use in Europe, belong to US providers such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google. The EU must break away from this dependence on Big Tech, not from its dependence on the USA, we don’t have to think so nationalistically.
Stop chatting about Epstein
Submarine cables are stable because they consist of bundled light guides. Digital sovereignty can only be achieved when several fibers come together. There are us individuals, our civil society groups, companies, educational institutions, media, authorities and so much more. They all have to strive for digital sovereignty because they each have a different definition of it.
In Russia, Putin is confidently forcing citizens to use a Kremlin appwithout which they cannot study or register a car. The USA confidently forces Tiktok into a joint venture with US companies, and shortly afterwards users can no longer chat about Epstein and Contributions critical of ICE are viewed less well.
Digital sovereignty at home for private individuals means: I decide where my data is and where it goes. That’s why it’s important to join class action lawsuits against Meta and Coif the protection of our data was not guaranteed. But it should also mean: I decide what content the algorithm shows me and how the platform influences me.
It should also mean that I can use a platform and still opt out of harmful mechanisms that trigger mental illnesses such as eating disorders or addiction. But these options will only be given to us if the legislators ensure this.
ICE aide Palantir
Digital sovereignty in private (but not only) also means boycott. We can park our photos on smaller clouds – maybe even sustainable ones! We also don’t have to use Paypal or other payment services founded by an anti-democrat. And how left-wing can a post actually be if it takes place on platforms run by the ultra-right or Trump flatterers? who are also quick to censor information about abortions.
Being able to make such decisions and move confidently in the digital space must be taught in schools. To do this, they themselves must be digitally independent of programs from large companies and identify alternatives. They also need the state and authorities. At least half of the administrations in Europe work with Microsoft services.
Instead, they should rely on free, accessible, customizable software. Ideally, you can deal with this by that a company that has the most sensitive data on citizens is suddenly sold to a branch of a US companyas could happen in the Netherlands.
Suddenly no more access to Microsoft emails
The federal government even has the start-up ZenDis founded to provide German companies and administrations with secure software. The International Criminal Court is currently considering whether to use a ZenDis program to separate itself from Microsoft. There are fears of sanctions from the Trump administration. And maybe you also lost trust after Chief prosecutor Karim Khan was no longer able to access his emails in May 2025.
France in particular is currently taking big steps towards digital sovereignty. And Schleswig-Holstein. Why aren’t the other federal states joining in? Instead, some law enforcement agencies are throwing just that ICE aide Palantir Money and citizen data down your throat.
The EU and the member states have to rethink. In their equipment, in how they can promote digital sovereignty in society. And also with legislation. AI Act and DSA are not economic inhibitors. They are a tool to make technology ethical and humane. They must be the shell within which the individual strands of society are protected in order to achieve digital sovereignty.