The US will close the cloud to the EU? “Technology services almost like Greenland”

The Politico portal warned on Monday that cloud services are another sphere of new technologies in which the United States can be a threat to Europe. It was emphasized that European suppliers are almost completely dependent on American companies in this area.

“The cloud is like a tap of water. What happens if at some point the tap closes?” – Benjamin Revcolevschi's statement from the French IT company Ovhcloud was cited on the portal.

In this case, as explained by the website, “Twishing the tap” would mean that the US administration introduced a ban on providing services in Europe. Politico also quoted the director of the Austrian company Anexia Alexander Windbichler, who – asked if US President Donald Trump would separate cloud services in Europe – replied:

“I don't know. But I never expected the United States threatened with taking Greenland. It's more crazy than closing the cloud.”

At the same time, the portal pointed out that – so far – the American IT tycoons flow calming signals. Microsoft Vice President Brad Smith emphasized that the likelihood for the White House to issue an order to suspend the activities of American technology companies in the EU is “extremely unlikely”. He added that the dominance of US companies on the cloud service market is a problem for the inhabitants of Europe. Smith announced that Microsoft would complement contracts with European governments with clauses that will counteract any attempts to limit their activities outside the USA. Amazon also declared similar actions.

These signals, as emphasized by Politico, do not fully calm European recipients. The portal quoted Cristina Caffarra, an economist from the University College London, dealing with technology and competition issues. The researcher expressed doubt as to whether American companies, even with the best intentions, could challenge their president. “

The basis of the fears raised by European interlocutors of the portal is the case of the main prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (MTK) Karim Khan, whom Microsoft cut off access to e -mail in May After MTK issued the arrest of the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. Microsoft's move resulted from the sanctions that Washington imposed on the Hague Tribunal. The American company refused to comment on this topic. It was only assured that “Microsoft did not stop or suspended the provision of services for the MTK.”

In response to this incident, the MEP Aura Sella from Finland admitted that “American companies must comply with US law.” However, she emphasized that “for Europeans this means that we cannot trust the reliability and security of American operating systems.”

“It has become clear that Europe cannot rely on any external strength that has the ability to disconnect the plug,” noted Francesca Bria, a professor at the University College London.

In the opinion of political interviewees, the exit of the situation is to create a European alternative in the field of broadly understood services from the sphere of new technologies. The portal reminded that this is what the Eurostack initiative is to serve, the cost of which is currently estimated at EUR 300 billion. Its implementation would make Europe self -sufficient in the field of digital infrastructure, including software. Politico emphasized that several EU countries, as well as leading groups in the European Parliament have already expressed support for Eurostack. At the same time, it was noted that the implementation of this idea may provoke allegations of protectionism and deepen tension in relations with the USA. (PAP)

Piu/ Szm/