Europe Fears US "Kill Switch" Order Disrupting Digital Infrastructure

European lawmakers and tech leaders are expressing grave concerns over the potential for the United States to issue a "kill switch" order that could disrupt Europe's digital infrastructure. With Donald Trump back in power, there is a heightened fear that the White House could directly order tech giants to shut down services, given the significant control these companies have over Europe's cloud computing market.

Europe's digital economy heavily relies on cloud services provided by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which collectively control more than two-thirds of the continent's cloud computing market. This dependency extends to critical services such as government communications and financial transactions, making any disruption a major concern.

Matthias Ecke, a German Social Democrat in the European Parliament, highlighted the vulnerability, stating that it is no longer reasonable to assume total reliance on American partners. He warned that European data could be seized or infrastructure blocked with zero notice, given Trump's known tendency for impulsive decisions. Alexander Windbichler, CEO of Austrian cloud firm Anexia, echoed these concerns, noting that European firms have been too focused on performance and have ignored the dangerous level of dependence on US infrastructure.

This fear is not unfounded. In May, Microsoft was used to enforce Trump's foreign policy when ICC prosecutor Karim Khan lost access to his Microsoft-hosted email after the US sanctioned him. This incident underscored the potential for US companies to comply with US law, even if it means disrupting services in Europe. Aura Salla, a former Meta lobbyist and now a center-right member of the European Parliament, warned that Europeans cannot trust the reliability and security of US companies' operating systems.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, acknowledged the risk, calling it “a real concern of people across Europe,” but claimed it’s “exceedingly unlikely.” Microsoft has added clauses in its contracts with European governments to resist such orders and promised to fight suspensions in court. Amazon, meanwhile, has stated it would do “everything practically possible” to maintain service if sanctions ever came down.

Cristina Caffarra, a tech economist and honorary professor at University College London, pointed out the real issue: “If that political dimension turns hostile, how credible is it that companies with the best intentions can challenge their president?” Benjamin Revcolevschi, CEO of French company OVHcloud, compared the situation to a tap of water that could be closed at any moment. This scenario is now a real concern for European governments, who are openly preparing for such an event.

To address this dependency, Brussels is considering a certification label that would guarantee cloud services can’t be interrupted by foreign governments. However, the proposal has been stuck in limbo due to differing opinions among member states. France wants the label to protect local infrastructure from the US Cloud Act, while other countries, like the Netherlands, are still reluctant to cut off American providers. This resistance is slowly fading as more evidence piles up that Trump is willing to weaponize digital infrastructure.

A freedom of information request revealed that the US State Department began pressuring the European Commission as early as September 2023. The Commission’s tech division refused to release their exchanges, saying it would “undermine relations” between the US and EU. But the lobbying campaign is confirmed and ongoing.

The only long-term fix being considered is EuroStack, a €300 billion European digital infrastructure plan designed to replace US dominance. The goal is to build a self-reliant system, from physical servers to software, that’s entirely controlled by Europe. The EuroStack initiative is backed by tech economists and industry players and pushes three demands: “Buy European,” “Sell European,” and “Fund European.” It includes plans for massive funding, government quotas for local tech firms, and a new sovereign tech fund.

Jörg Kukies, Germany’s former finance minister, told reporters in April that the problem is urgent but warned there are no real alternatives yet. “There simply aren’t sufficient alternatives to the offerings by the American digital industry,” he said. This underscores the challenge Europe faces in reducing its dependence on US cloud services and building a resilient digital infrastructure.