# Europe's Software Problem

DevFeed: [Europe's Software Problem](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/europe-s-software-problem-36396.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/europes-software-problem/>)

Published: 2021-06-15T07:56:07Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/bert-hubert-s-writings.md>)

Topics: [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>), [Users](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/users.md>), [App](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/app.md>)

Tags: [apple](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apple.md>), [article](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/article.md>), [browsers](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/browsers.md>), [chat](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/chat.md>), [collaboration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/collaboration.md>), [communication](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/communication.md>), [digital-autonomy](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/digital-autonomy.md>), [email](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/email.md>), [europe](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/europe.md>), [google](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/google.md>), [platforms](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/platforms.md>), [products](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/products.md>), [software](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software.md>)

## AI overview

This opinion article argues that Europe has few consumer-oriented software platforms and products created by European companies. It discusses how free software and services can be monetized indirectly, including through user behavior and platform control, and contrasts these models with European business and investment practices.

## Source excerpt

This article is part of a series on (European) innovation and capabilities. Europe's communication needs are currently almost exclusively delivered by Chinese hardware that connects us to US-based platforms. For a variety of reasons, this is not a good idea. As stated recently by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, "Interdependence is natural, even desirable. Over-dependence, however, is not". Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash At the core, the problem is that almost no consumer-oriented platforms or software products are being created in Europe, or more precisely, by European companies.