European Leaders Re-evaluate Reliance on U.S. Tech Amid Geopolitical Concerns
A recent report in The New York Times suggests that European governments are increasingly questioning their dependence on American technology and services, spurred by geopolitical tensions and concerns over compliance with U.S. foreign policy [1].
The turning point appears to be the sanctioning of Karim Khan, chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC), by former President Donald Trump. This action followed the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
In response to the sanctions, Microsoft reportedly disabled Khan’s email address. Casper Klynge, a former diplomat and Microsoft employee, told The New York Times that this action acted as a “smoking gun” for many Europeans, driving them to consider alternative tech solutions [2]. Reportedly, some ICC workers have switched to Proton, a Swiss email service, as a direct result.
“If the U.S. administration goes after certain organizations, countries or individuals, the fear is American companies are obligated to comply,” Klynge stated, highlighting the core concern driving the shift.
Microsoft has since responded by implementing policy changes aimed at protecting customers in similar situations. The company also noted that email accounts of four ICC judges sanctioned earlier were not shut down. CEO Satya Nadella has recently announced new “sovereign solutions” designed to safeguard European institutions.
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