Microsoft has recently announced a five-point plan outlining its digital commitments to Europe, coming at a time of heightened tension between US technology companies and EU regulators. The move is seen as an attempt to build trust and demonstrate the company’s respect for European values and laws.
Microsoft’s Five-Point Plan
The software giant has pledged to:
- Help build a broad AI and cloud ecosystem across Europe
- Uphold Europe’s digital resilience despite geopolitical volatility
- Continue protecting the privacy of European data
- Help protect and defend Europe’s cyber security
- Strengthen Europe’s economic competitiveness, including for open source initiatives
Microsoft emphasizes its 42-year presence in Europe and stresses that its business is ‘critically dependent on sustaining the trust of customers, countries, and governments across Europe.’ The company highlights its compliance with European laws, including competition law and the Digital Markets Act.
The timing of Microsoft’s announcement, coinciding with the 100-day mark of the US administration under President Donald Trump, has raised eyebrows. The EU has been at odds with Big Tech over issues such as data privacy and digital regulation, with the US administration previously criticizing EU fines against Apple and Meta as ‘economic extortion.’
Critics argue that Microsoft’s commitments, while reassuring on the surface, don’t address the underlying concerns about EU reliance on US technology and service providers. The pledge to double its data centre numbers in Europe between 2023 and 2027 has been met with skepticism by some, who worry about the implications of hosting European data in US-owned facilities potentially subject to US law.
The need for Microsoft to publicly reaffirm its commitment to European regulations and data protection highlights the growing unease and lack of trust between EU governments and US tech giants. As tensions continue, Microsoft’s move is seen as an attempt to navigate these complex regulatory waters and maintain its presence in the European market.
