How Dependent Is Europe on US Big Tech?

If US technology stopped working tomorrow, large parts of Europe would grind to a halt. From cloud storage and artificial intelligence to banking systems, healthcare services, and government operations, much of Europe’s digital life depends on American companies.

This reliance has long been treated as a given, but rising political tensions between the European Union and the United States have turned it into a serious strategic concern.

EU officials warn that depending so heavily on foreign technology leaves Europe exposed to risks ranging from technical outages and cyberattacks to geopolitical disputes. Much of Europe’s data is stored on US-owned cloud services, while key AI tools and digital platforms are controlled by a small number of American firms.

As trust in transatlantic relations becomes less predictable, European leaders are questioning whether this level of dependence is sustainable.

In response, the EU is pushing for what it calls “digital sovereignty.” The plan focuses on developing European cloud services, AI models, and digital infrastructure that can reduce reliance on US Big Tech.

A flagship initiative known as Eurostack aims to build a homegrown digital ecosystem over the next decade. Some governments are already experimenting by shifting public services to open-source software.

Europe isn’t trying to cut ties entirely. Instead, it wants more control, resilience, and choice in the technologies that power everyday life.