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It is no longer safe to move our governments and societies to US clouds (berthub.eu)

1403 points by Sami_Lehtinen · 526 days ago · 800 comments on HN

Article summary

The article argues that it is no longer safe for European governments and societies to rely on US-based cloud services due to the current political climate and the potential for data breaches. The author believes that the legal basis for sharing personal data with American companies is no longer valid, and that relying on US clouds poses a significant risk to business and government continuity. The article suggests that European governments should invest in alternative, EU-native cloud solutions to reduce dependence on US companies. This would require a significant shift in approach, but could ultimately lead to greater data security and independence.

Main themes

  • Data security
  • Cloud computing
  • EU-US relations
  • Technological independence
  • Global politics
  • Economic dependence

What commenters say

  • The EU has had ample time to develop its own cloud alternatives, but has failed to do so due to a lack of incentive and investment.
  • The US Cloud Act poses a significant threat to data security, even for companies hosting data outside of the US, and this threat is now more perilous than ever.
  • Some commenters argue that China exhibits traits similar to fascist states, while others disagree, citing the need for a more nuanced understanding of fascist ideology.
  • European companies are already taking steps to avoid storing data on US servers and are opting for EU-based alternatives to ensure GDPR compliance and avoid the US legal system.
  • The dominance of US tech companies is due in part to economies of scale, anti-competitive business practices, and the brain drain of talent from other regions.
  • Investing in EU-native cloud solutions is necessary to reduce dependence on US companies and ensure greater data security and independence.
  • The shift towards EU-native cloud solutions will require significant investment and a change in approach, but could ultimately lead to greater benefits for European businesses and governments.
  • Some argue that the EU's trouble competing with US tech companies is due to its own capitalist organization and the single market, which can make it difficult to support local alternatives.