In recent years, Europe has faced a growing threat of dependence on major American technology corporations. Alongside increasing political instability on the international stage and escalating cybersecurity risks, European nations are actively seeking ways to strengthen their digital independence. In this changing environment, open-source technology has become a key tool. The decision to adopt technologies such as OpenStack and Kubernetes is no longer just a trend but a necessity to ensure resilience and security in the global tech era.
In our analytical article for NewsTrackerToday, we examine how Europe is striving for digital sovereignty and what steps are being taken to reduce its reliance on American tech giants.
At the OpenInfra Summit Europe 2025 in Paris, where the future of Europe’s digital infrastructure was discussed, the phrase “digital sovereignty” echoed throughout the event. EU member states are increasingly recognizing the importance of controlling their own digital infrastructure, especially in light of growing threats from external players such as the U.S. and China. European leaders are confident that the shift toward open-source technologies will be a vital step toward achieving independence. As Sophie Leclerc, technology sector analyst for NewsTrackerToday, notes, “Open-source solutions provide not only security but also offer the ability to maintain control over data, which has become a crucial aspect amid global instability.”
This shift highlights the importance of cloud solutions such as OpenStack and Kubernetes, which are becoming the foundation of a sustainable and independent digital infrastructure in Europe.
European countries are already actively moving away from major American providers such as Microsoft in favor of open-source alternatives. A prime example is the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, which has abandoned Microsoft Exchange and Outlook in favor of LibreOffice and other similar platforms. This trend extends beyond individual governments to large corporate structures as well. One of the key steps toward independence has been France’s NUBO project – a cloud initiative built using OpenStack to securely store confidential data. Such initiatives underscore the growing demand for cloud solutions that provide not only reliability but also independence from foreign technology companies.
However, Europe’s efforts are not limited to adopting open technologies in the public and private sectors. A crucial aspect of strengthening digital sovereignty lies in developing local cloud services. Companies such as OVHcloud and Deutsche Telekom are actively building cloud platforms based on open-source technologies, enabling them not only to compete with American giants but also to offer legal isolation for their clients. These companies use OpenStack-based solutions, ensuring high levels of security and compliance with European standards.
As Sophie Leclerc emphasizes, “Open solutions are not just an alternative. They are the key to building a resilient and secure digital infrastructure that is independent of external political and economic risks.” European countries and companies are increasingly realizing that, to ensure their own security, they must adopt solutions controlled not by foreign governments or corporations, but by local technological players. In 2024, the European Commission appointed its first Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, signaling the strategic importance of this direction for the entire region.
