I usually don’t focus on geopolitics, but the recent uncontrolled developments in cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence are too alarming to ignore. The recent shifts in the United States raise critical questions about Europe’s digital future and independence.
The rising threat to Europe’s digital sovereignty
For decades, Europe has been deeply integrated with U.S.-based technology, relying on American cloud services, cybersecurity frameworks, and AI developments. However, recent events highlight a growing risk of dependency that threatens Europe’s digital sovereignty.
- The dismantling of U.S. cybersecurity oversight bodies, such as the Cyber Safety Review Board, weakens global cyber resilience.
- Private individuals like Elon Musk now hold unchecked power over critical government infrastructure and IT systems.
- Social media platforms, controlled by U.S. corporations, have removed fact-checking measures, allowing misinformation to spread unchecked.
- AI development is dominated by U.S. companies, leaving Europe technologically behind and dependent on foreign AI models like OpenAI’s GPT.
These developments raise urgent questions:
Can Europe afford to remain dependent on American technology? If not, how do we establish digital self-sufficiency before it’s too late?
Michael Waterman – February 2025
This article explores the risks of technological reliance on the U.S. and outlines a roadmap toward European independence in cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, and digital infrastructure.
A weakening U.S. Cybersecurity posture
One of the most concerning developments is the dismantling of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This board was responsible for investigating state-sponsored cyber threats, such as those posed by the Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon.
At the same time, key cybersecurity officials within CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) have been fired, weakening U.S. cyber resilience. Federal prosecutors and independent investigators are also being removed, signaling a broad restructuring of government agencies to align with political loyalty rather than expertise (Security Magazine).
This wave of firings bears striking similarities to the historical purge known as the “Night of the Long Knives” in 1934. Just as Hitler eliminated opposition within his own ranks to consolidate power, Trump’s systematic removal of key cybersecurity experts, independent prosecutors, and intelligence officials weakens the institutions designed to prevent corruption and foreign interference.
While there is no physical violence involved in this modern political purge, the effects could be just as destabilizing—with institutional safeguards against cyber threats, election security, and AI governance now in question. With loyalists replacing experts, the risk of misuse of digital infrastructure, influence over AI regulation, and unchecked executive power grows significantly (AP News).
For Europe, this means one thing:
We can no longer assume that American cybersecurity is stable or reliable.
Michael Waterman – February 2025
Elon Musk’s growing influence over critical systems
Beyond governmental actions, private individuals are gaining unchecked control over digital infrastructure.
- Elon Musk’s team has gained access to the U.S. Treasury’s federal payment system, including Social Security and Medicare payments (AP News).
- Government officials have been locked out of critical IT systems, while Musk’s team installs private servers without oversight (TBS News).
This raises a crucial question:
How much of the world’s digital infrastructure should be controlled by private billionaires with no accountability?
Michael Waterman – February 2025
The spread of misinformation on U.S. controlled social media platforms
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn have become major tools for public discourse and information sharing, but fact-checking and moderation have been systematically dismantled.
- Twitter (X) has fired thousands of content moderators, leaving misinformation unchecked (AP News).
- Facebook (Meta) has scaled back its election integrity efforts, allowing false information to spread freely (Binnenlands Bestuur).
These platforms, all owned by U.S.-based corporations, have become tools for influence operations, corporate control, and unregulated data collection.
Is the United States, and the corporations operating within it, still the digital partner we want to depend on?
Michael Waterman – February 2025
AI dependency: Is Europe falling behind?
Beyond cybersecurity and social media, there is a third major crisis brewing: Europe is falling behind in artificial intelligence.
The world’s leading AI models—OpenAI’s GPT (which powers ChatGPT), Google DeepMind, and Anthropic’s Claude—are all developed and controlled by U.S.-based companies.
While Europe has implemented the EU AI Act, focusing on AI safety and ethical concerns, it lacks the capability to develop cutting-edge AI at scale. There are only a few European AI players, such as Aleph Alpha in Germany, but they cannot compete with the scale and investment of U.S. AI giants.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has become the dominant force in AI-powered language models. However, recent concerns have emerged regarding the influence of former intelligence officials in the company’s leadership. The appointment of a former CIA operative as OpenAI’s intelligence chief has raised alarm over AI’s potential role in foreign influence operations and information control (Intelligence Online).
The risks of AI dependence on non-European entities
- Data Sovereignty Risks: AI models rely on massive datasets, much of which is hosted on U.S. cloud infrastructure.
- Economic and Innovation Dependency: Without independent AI development, Europe risks becoming a consumer rather than a creator of AI technology.
- Ethical and Regulatory Control: Europe’s AI laws might be irrelevant if the most powerful AI systems remain under U.S. corporate control.
If we fail to act now, Europe will not only be dependent on U.S. cloud services, social media, and cybersecurity infrastructure – but also on its artificial intelligence.
Michael Waterman – February 2025
A roadmap to European technological independence
To reduce dependency on U.S.-based technologies, Europe must no longer wait, stop drowning in a ocean of over-complicated rules and take strategic and immediate action.
1. Investment in European Cloud and data centers
Europe must stop relying on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Instead, we must expand European cloud providers, such as OVH, Hetzner, and Nextcloud. Projects like GAIA-X provide a foundation for European-controlled cloud infrastructure.
2. Strengthening Open-Source and AI development
Europe should heavily invest in AI development, supporting companies like Aleph Alpha and creating EU-funded AI research programs.
Additionally, open-source software must be prioritized in government and business infrastructure.
3. Creating a stronger European Cybersecurity force
Europe needs an EU-wide cybersecurity task force that proactively detects and neutralizes threats. The ENISA (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity) must be expanded and given more authority.
4. Reducing reliance on U.S. hardware
While fully replacing American hardware is unrealistic, Europe can reduce its dependence by strengthening alliances with Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to secure alternative semiconductor supply chains.
5. Establishing a European social media and AI alternative
Europe cannot afford to rely solely on U.S.-controlled platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and X for public discourse. The EU should invest in decentralized, open-source social media platforms and develop its own AI models that reflect European values or force these platforms to comply with European laws and values, splitting up these companies should be a realistic option.
Building a European Digital Ecosystem: Alternatives to U.S. Tech
In the pursuit of digital sovereignty, Europe has been developing alternatives to U.S.-based technologies across various sectors. The website European Alternatives offers a comprehensive directory of such services, highlighting the continent’s commitment to technological independence.
The platform categorizes European alternatives in areas such as:
- Web analytics services: Tools that provide insights into website traffic and user behavior.
- Cloud computing platforms: Providers offering on-demand hosting and computing resources.
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Networks that enhance the delivery speed of web content.
- Email providers: Services offering secure and private email solutions.
- Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosters: Companies providing virtual servers with customizable resources.
By utilizing these European alternatives, organizations can reduce reliance on non-European technologies, thereby enhancing data sovereignty and aligning with regional regulations. This approach not only fosters local innovation but also strengthens Europe’s position in the global tech landscape.
For a detailed list of categories and services, visit European Alternatives.
Conclusion: A Difficult but necessary path forward
I fully recognize that transitioning away from decades of American technology is an immense undertaking. The scale of impact on businesses, governments, and daily life would be enormous.
However, the current trajectory is unsustainable. The U.S. government is becoming more unstable, private billionaires are gaining unchecked control, and AI dependency is becoming a major risk.
For Europe to remain competitive, secure, and independent, we must act now. If we fail to invest in AI, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity, we will become permanently dependent on foreign technology.
The choice is clear:
We either build our own digital future, or we allow others to control us.
Michael Waterman – February 2025
References
Security Magazine: Trump fires cyber safety board
AP News: Trump’s Government Purge Mirrors Historical Power Consolidations
AP News: Elon Musk’s content moderation cuts
AP News: Elon Musk’s unchecked access to U.S. treasury data
TBS News: Musk’s team locks government workers out of IT systems
Intelligence Online: Foreign Malign Influence – Former CIA Turned OpenAI Intelligence Chief Struggles to Ward Off Worries of Information Apocalypse
Binnenlands Bestuur: The decline of fact-checking on social media
NPO Radio 1: Data power and political Influence on social media
European Alternatives: A Directory of European Tech Solutions
I believe that, to achieve this, Europe can focus on several key strategies such as investing in Research and Development, enhancing funding for innovation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure is crucial. And second is, enhancing Education and Skill Development, investing in education programs to cultivate a skilled workforce in technology and cybersecurity fields is essential.