Challenges Face European Governments Pursuing 'Digital Sovereignty'
Analysis
The article highlights the difficulties Europe faces in achieving digital sovereignty, primarily due to the US CLOUD Act. This act allows US authorities to access data stored globally by US-based companies, even if that data belongs to European citizens and is subject to GDPR. The use of gag orders further complicates matters, preventing transparency. While 'sovereign cloud' solutions are marketed, they often fail to address the core issue of US legal jurisdiction. The article emphasizes that the location of data centers doesn't solve the problem if the underlying company is still subject to US law.
Key Takeaways
- •The US CLOUD Act poses a significant challenge to European digital sovereignty.
- •Gag orders undermine transparency and GDPR compliance.
- •‘Sovereign cloud’ solutions may not fully address the issue of US legal jurisdiction.
Reference
“"A company subject to the extraterritorial laws of the United States cann”