# digital autonomy Published articles for digital autonomy. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Do not invite big-tech to join your digital autonomy discussion DevFeed: [Do not invite big-tech to join your digital autonomy discussion]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2026-06-16T16:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [digital](), [Microsoft](), [amazon](), [Google]() Tags: [amazon](), [digital-autonomy](), [discussion](), [google](), [microsoft](), [tech]() ### AI overview The author argues that events about European digital autonomy should not invite representatives of US big-tech companies to help shape discussions about reducing dependence on big tech. The article says these companies have commercial interests that may lead them to defend existing arrangements, raise doubts, or promote disputed claims about sovereignty, while acknowledging that Europe may continue doing business with them. ### Source excerpt Some time ago, I attended an event to discuss European digital autonomy and digital dependencies. I accepted the invitation without checking too carefully, and I belatedly found out that most of US big tech was invited as well, and would be presenting their thoughts. Now, even in our gloriously digitally autonomous future, we'll still be doing business with Microsoft, Google and Amazon. And it is fine if they have a role. ## EU & Civil Society need to progress on Digital Autonomy DevFeed: [EU & Civil Society need to progress on Digital Autonomy]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2026-06-15T13:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [digital sovereignty](), [digital](), [Software]() Tags: [digital-autonomy](), [digital-sovereignty](), [eu](), [government](), [influence](), [people](), [progress]() ### AI overview The article argues that European discussions about digital autonomy and sovereignty are stalled and need to move beyond legislation and references to European values. It calls for broader civil-society involvement, including procurement officials, IT departments, vendors, and government executives, to support practical progress. ### Source excerpt By now (happily) everyone wants to talk about digital autonomy, although some parties insist we talk about sovereignty. Fine. tl;dr: The discussions on digital autonomy are now going round in circles. Civil society and think tanks want to contribute, and are well placed to do so. In this piece, I urge everyone to look further ahead, beyond legislation and talking about European values. The road to digital sovereignty is very long, and we need to make progress along that entire road, which includes things further afield than what we are discussing now. ## Europe's digital autonomy and dependence on US cloud providers DevFeed: [Europe's digital autonomy and dependence on US cloud providers]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2026-01-10T10:08:02Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [Cloud](), [cloud-infrastructure](), [Computing](), [data](), [amazon](), [Google](), [Microsoft]() Tags: [amazon](), [cloud](), [digital-autonomy](), [europe](), [google](), [international](), [microsoft](), [tech]() ### AI overview An opinion article argues that Europe's dependence on US cloud providers is overstated because many large IT systems can run on locally owned or rented computers. It criticizes European decision-makers for treating Amazon, Microsoft, and Google as the only viable options, while noting the legal and operational risks of moving sensitive government data to foreign cloud services. ### Source excerpt Europe is experiencing a crisis of digital autonomy. Our dependence on US big tech has been growing for decades and is now nearly total, at a time when worries about our former ally are no longer theoretical. Might we, like the International Criminal Court in The Hague, find ourselves locked out of our own mailboxes if we say something that is upsetting to the US government? This post was written in response to an article in the Financial Times. ## Keynote opening Digital Commons EDIC: Moving beyond the Digital Uncommons DevFeed: [Keynote opening Digital Commons EDIC: Moving beyond the Digital Uncommons]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2025-12-14T10:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [digital](), [Software]() Tags: [digital](), [digital-autonomy](), [government](), [initiative](), [launch](), [software]() ### AI overview The article discusses the launch of the Digital Commons European Digital Infrastructure Consortium, demonstrations of European government software, and calls for stronger European digital autonomy. ### Source excerpt Last Thursday, 11th of December, saw the launch of the new Digital Commons European Digital Infrastructure Consortium. In attendance were delegations from the launching member states (and the observers). Also present were the many forefathers (and mothers) of this initiative. Of particular note, the launch also included demonstrations of LaSuite software from France, as well as the OpenDesk software from Germany. The Dutch government showcased their amalgamated suite MijnBureau, which joins parts of the German and French initiatives. ## The cloud is not a chemical plant DevFeed: [The cloud is not a chemical plant]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2025-07-11T08:20:53Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [Cloud](), [digital](), [amazon](), [Google](), [Microsoft]() Tags: [amazon](), [autonomy](), [cloud](), [digital-autonomy](), [europe](), [google](), [microsoft](), [policy](), [providers]() ### AI overview The article argues that Europe is not hopelessly behind American cloud providers despite their greater breadth, technical performance, and scale. It contrasts cloud services with European chemical and manufacturing industries that were outcompeted by cheaper suppliers, arguing that the comparison does not apply to cloud computing. ### Source excerpt There is a lot of recent discussion about digital autonomy and Europe's "position in the cloud". Here, I want to break down and refute a commonly made argument: that the lead of American cloud providers is so great that we can never catch up. In the recent and excellent policy initiative "Clouds on the Horizon" (by Dutch political parties GL-PvdA and NSC), we can read on page 23 why this can't be a reason to just give up. ## Galileo Testing Exposed Communication and Reliability Concerns DevFeed: [Galileo Testing Exposed Communication and Reliability Concerns]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2025-05-28T11:50:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [reliability](), [communications](), [navigation](), [digital]() Tags: [communication](), [digital-autonomy](), [gnss](), [infrastructure](), [navigation](), [partner](), [reliability]() ### AI overview The article argues that Galileo is important independent European navigation infrastructure but criticizes the EU and EUSPA for poor communication about service testing and disruptions. It describes outdated data being transmitted during a test and says the lack of explanation confused professional users. ### Source excerpt When Galileo (the European satellite navigation system) was proposed there was a lot of criticism. "We already have the US GPS", and we'd always be able to rely on our historical partner to take care of us. The US very much also said this. Yet, the EU persevered and now we have an independent worldwide navigation capability. And given recent developments, I think we can be well pleased that we don't have to rely on the US, China or Russia for this vital need! ## Demystifying European Digital Sovereignty DevFeed: [Demystifying European Digital Sovereignty]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2021-07-13T19:15:30Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [digital sovereignty](), [scaleway](), [data]() Tags: [article](), [data](), [digital-autonomy](), [digital-sovereignty](), [europe](), [gdpr](), [innovation](), [law](), [panel](), [sas](), [scaleway]() ### AI overview The article reflects on a panel about European digital sovereignty. It argues that Europe's reliance on foreign platforms for digital communication services raises concerns about data access, legal protection, and future dependence, and discusses regulation and stronger European digital services as possible responses. ### Source excerpt This article is part of a series on (European) innovation and capabilities. Recently I participated in a very useful panel that aimed to demystify European digital sovereignty. Even though we spoke for more than an hour (video), we obviously were not able to fix all of Europe's sovereignty problems! The event was organized by Scaleway (previously Online SAS or Online.net), a 100% subsidiary of what I think is Europe's most innovative telecommunications company, Iliad. ## Europe's Software Problem DevFeed: [Europe's Software Problem]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2021-06-15T07:56:07Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [Software](), [Users](), [App]() Tags: [apple](), [article](), [browsers](), [chat](), [collaboration](), [communication](), [digital-autonomy](), [email](), [europe](), [google](), [platforms](), [products](), [software]() ### 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. ## European 5G Infrastructure, Huawei, and Digital Sovereignty DevFeed: [European 5G Infrastructure, Huawei, and Digital Sovereignty]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2020-01-20T14:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings]() Topics: [5G](), [national security](), [huawei](), [digital sovereignty](), [Availability]() Tags: [5g](), [availability](), [digital-autonomy](), [digital-sovereignty](), [europe](), [huawei](), [national-security](), [outsourcing]() ### AI overview An opinion article argues that Europe has already lost significant control over telecommunications infrastructure and should work to regain it. It discusses concerns about Huawei equipment for 5G, including surveillance, service availability during conflict, and digital sovereignty. ### Source excerpt This article is part of a series on (European) innovation and capabilities. In a break from the usual GPS/Galileo, DNA and C++ posts, here is a bit on 5G and national security. It turns out that through PowerDNS and its parent company Open-Xchange, we know a lot about how large scale European communication service providers work - most of whom are our customers in some way. In addition, in a previous life I worked in national security and because of that I have relevant knowledge of how governments (your own and foreign ones) "interact" with telecommunication providers.