European Union plans strict cloud rules for sensitive state contracts

The European Union is preparing new cloud-computing rules that could majorly restrict the ability of U.S. technology giants such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft to win contracts for highly sensitive government and public sector projects.

Europe plans to propose strict criteria for cloud computing services in highly critical state tenders that could exclude Amazon, Microsoft, and ‌Google from such projects, according to documents seen by Reuters.

Securing Digital Sovereignty Against Foreign Oversight

Reuters reports that the EU's draft framework reflects growing efforts to strengthen digital sovereignty and safeguard sensitive data from foreign legal jurisdictions.

Moreover, the proposal is part of the European Commission's Cloud and AI Development Act, which EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen will announce on Wednesday as part of a package of measures aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on U.S. tech and promoting European businesses.

The drive for sovereignty requirements in sensitive sectors such as banking, energy, and healthcare comes amid fears of surveillance by the United States and that it may get unlawful access to Europeans' data based on its laws, such as the Cloud Act, which requires U.S.-based providers to grant authorities access to data even if it is stored abroad.

Favouring Domestic Technology and Infrastructure

The EU proposal, previously unreported and that could face ‌late changes, also introduces mandatory non-price award criteria, including requirements for software and hardware developed within the EU, that would disadvantage U.S. big tech.

The European Commission declined to comment on details of its plans initially, though it said that its tech sovereignty package was "crucial for strengthening Europe's own technological capacities, for Europe's competitiveness and security."

Additionally, the EU executive's plan, which needs backing from EU countries and the European Parliament in the coming months, could draw backlash from the U.S. government, which is already extremely critical of other EU laws aimed at reining in Big Tech and ensuring that they police their platforms for illegal and harmful content.