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digital sovereignty

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What Is Digital Sovereignty
2 months ago
- Digital sovereignty means ensuring that nothing essential can be taken away, not owning everything or having unlimited choice.
- The control camp (owning all infrastructure) is impractical and misses the point; sovereignty is not about holding possessions.
- The choice camp (vendor-neutral selection) confuses initial freedom with the ability to exit; true sovereignty requires reversibility.
- Open standards must be both persistent (readable long-term) and reimplementable (anyone can build compatible tools).
- ODF exemplifies reimplementability, while OOXML offers persistence without full reimplementation, keeping sovereignty with the vendor.
- The most critical decision for sovereignty is the native document format, as it determines whether essential data can be taken elsewhere.
Online identity is owned by your email provider (2019)
2 months ago
- Email was never designed to serve as a ubiquitous online identity, yet most businesses rely on it for that role.
- People are locked into their email service provider because switching requires updating countless accounts, risking loss of access, and many services do not allow changing registered email addresses.
- Email service providers have extensive control over users' online identity, personal data, and contact network, creating vendor lock-in that benefits tech giants.
- Proposed solutions like mandatory email forwarding services have technical drawbacks including delayed delivery, reduced spam protection, and increased complexity.
- Renting a custom domain for email offers more freedom to switch providers, but does not provide full ownership of identity.
- The only real long-term solution is to move away from email-based identity management toward self-sovereign identity alternatives, which are not yet widely available.
Substack writers, you need a website
2 months ago
- Substack should be a distribution tool, not a writer's digital home.
- Writers who make Substack their primary platform risk losing control of their content.
- Using a custom domain on Substack is better than a Substack subdomain, but still limited compared to a CMS.
- Platforms like Facebook, Tumblr, Medium, and Substack offer convenience but make writers tenants, not homeowners.
- Relying on corporate platforms is risky because they can change rules or decline without warning.
- The POSSE method (Publish on Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere) gives writers autonomy and platform reach.
- Platform algorithms favor Western narratives, making it hard for diverse voices to be seen without conforming.
- Writers like John Scalzi, who blogs independently for 28 years, show the value of owning a digital home.
- Platforms cycle through hype and decline; independent websites with RSS provide lasting stability.
- Use platforms to find readers, but bring them back to a site you own and control.
Bijeenkomst Cloud en Digitale Open Strategische Autonomie - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- A meeting on March 27 at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate addressed Europe's heavy dependence on US cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google).
- The meeting was prompted by SIDN (.NL registry) concluding no European provider could meet its needs, planning to use an Amazon-backed consortium.
- US hyperscalers dominate European markets, but their dominance raises risks: US government access to data (even on EU servers), loss of local skills, and cultural control over content.
- European cloud providers are fragmented and far smaller, lacking the full service range of hyperscalers, leading to a 'megascaler' idea—a set of basic services that European providers could offer.
- The Dutch government is inadvertently deepening dependence by migrating its own email and data to US clouds, instead of acting as a lead customer for European alternatives.
- Cloud migration does not always reduce costs; organizations often see IT spending rise, and security is not automatically guaranteed.
- Resistance to datacenter construction in the Netherlands further hampers European cloud infrastructure.
- The author urges building a European cloud industry (like Airbus) by defining essential services, fostering government procurement, and maintaining digital self-sufficiency.
Cloud Naïve: Europe and the 'Bijenkorf' Megascaler - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- European organizations like SIDN claim they must outsource to US cloud providers because European providers cannot deliver their computer needs.
- European providers can deliver services but lack the automated, self-service 'cloud-native' infrastructure offered by hyperscalers like AWS, Azure, and GCP.
- The essential cloud-native services (S3, managed Kubernetes, IAM, etc.) are not adequately provided by European providers, who often misunderstand these requirements.
- European IT industry offers a catering model (custom setups) rather than the self-service model that cloud-native users expect.
- Solutions include European collaboration to create a 'Bijenkorf Megascaler'—a credible package of core cloud-native services, with government support in standards and procurement.
Demissionair de cloud in denderen: doe het niet - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- The Dutch government's core email system runs on its own servers, with Microsoft support ending on October 14, 2025.
- Microsoft strongly encourages moving email to its US cloud, but nine ministries plan to upgrade to a new on-premises Exchange version to keep data under Dutch control.
- Using the US cloud risks losing sovereignty, as the US government could cut access via executive orders, affecting services like the International Criminal Court.
- Many government agencies already migrated to the cloud without proper risk assessments or exit plans, violating national cloud policy.
- The demissionary cabinet may choose the easy path to the cloud due to time pressure, leading to unintended loss of data control.
- A call to action urges the House of Representatives and ministries to stay vigilant and avoid irreversible cloud migration.
Europe's Software Problem - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Europe's communication relies on Chinese hardware and US platforms, leading to over-dependence.
- European companies rarely create consumer-oriented free software due to lack of vision and regulatory constraints like GDPR.
- Free software models rely on rent-seeking or surveillance, which European companies cannot easily adopt.
- Current attempts (outlawing data transfers, interoperable standards like Joyn) have failed to produce competitive European alternatives.
- The solution is to develop compelling free software funded by the EU, leveraging existing talent and open source.
- Major challenge: existing funding mechanisms (public procurement, Horizon Europe) are not suited for fast-paced consumer software development.
- New structures like contests or agencies (e.g., SPRIND) are needed to stimulate innovation.
Demystifying European Digital Sovereignty - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- European digital sovereignty discussions often fail to address the practical needs of the market, which prioritizes reliable and affordable services over geopolitical concerns.
- Europe's heavy reliance on US and Chinese digital platforms raises data privacy and security risks due to extraterritorial laws like the US CLOUD Act and weak foreign data protections.
- Regulation such as GDPR has restricted European business models (e.g., data monetization) without curbing foreign platforms, while failing to open new avenues for European companies.
- GAIA-X aims to standardize European cloud infrastructure but lacks funding for a production cloud, and its slow, decade-long roadmap is ill-suited to the fast-paced cloud industry.
- European companies undervalue technical talent compared to legal and marketing roles, leading to brain drain to sectors like blockchain and high-frequency trading.
- Governments can support European digital sovereignty by acting as launching customers for local services, similar to US government procurement policies that favor domestic vendors.
- European entrepreneurs may be less cutthroat than US counterparts, but can leverage strengths like open source collaboration and privacy-focused solutions instead of competing directly with tech giants.
- Modest public funding, such as a small per capita tax, could enable competitive European digital services, especially if channeled into open, privacy-respecting projects.
Taking the Airbus to the IKEA Cloud - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Almost all computing is rapidly moving to the cloud, including parts like government systems that may need to remain under local control.
- Europe lacks any major 'hyperscaler' cloud providers and faces significant challenges in competing with giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which offer both a wide range of services (like IKEA) and advanced technology (like Airbus).
- Replicating hyperscalers is nearly impossible due to their massive, integrated service catalogs and technological sophistication, on par with the difficulty of replicating Airbus's wide-body jets or ASML's advanced wafer steppers.
- Europe is 100% dependent on non-European clouds, with no credible alternative; legislation or government action alone cannot create a competitive cloud ecosystem.
- Despite the dominance of IKEA-like hyperscalers, there is a feasible niche for a European communication and collaboration cloud (e.g., email, calendaring), especially for government use, leveraging procurement laws that allow for sovereignty-focused criteria.
- Such a European cloud could start with government clients and potentially evolve into a broader, competitive cloud industry, similar to how Airbus was assembled from European components.
European Innovation & Technical Capabilities - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Europe has lost much of its practical technical capabilities due to outsourcing of telecommunication and other infrastructures to the US and China.
- True innovation requires actual new technology and work, not just rebranding or funding; Europe lacks this.
- European software talent often works for US companies like Google and Facebook, rather than local firms or governments.
- European governments and agencies could boost local innovation by choosing European technology platforms over dominant non-European ones.
- Social, cultural, and regulatory factors, including investment climate and appreciation of technologists, hinder European innovation.
- Europe's heavy dependence on US and Chinese cloud services and IT infrastructure poses risks to national security in a pre-war era.
How sovereign do you want to be? - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Sovereignty involves three key aspects: confidentiality, flexibility, and resilience.
- Confidentiality concerns who can access data, as seen in the Dutch government's cloud policy, which lacks transparency about US access.
- Flexibility means the ability to make independent choices, like local control over EV charging infrastructure to ensure customization.
- Resilience refers to the capacity to repair and maintain systems during crises, as demonstrated by Ukraine's swift recovery from a cyberattack.
- Decisions on sovereignty should separately evaluate these three aspects due to their distinct requirements and solutions.
De hele overheid naar de cloud? Dat is een politiek besluit. - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- The Dutch government is rapidly migrating critical ICT services to Microsoft's cloud, which is under US jurisdiction, without sufficient political debate or transparency.
- This migration erodes Dutch and European ICT knowledge and industry, leading to total dependency on foreign providers and loss of digital sovereignty.
- The government's own cloud policy mandates risk assessments and exit plans, but these are often missing, not public, or ignored.
- Examples include the Dutch Parliament, courts, and other bodies already moving to Microsoft cloud, with Microsoft Co-Pilot AI activated on government workstations and unable to be removed.
- Experts and politicians warn against the irreversible loss of control over communication and data, and call for immediate action to create a European alternative.
- The author emphasizes the need for political attention to prevent a fait accompli and to preserve the ability to run independent IT systems.
De cloud is geen paracetamolfabriek - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- The event 'Digital Sovereignty: Sense or Nonsense' at Clingendael Institute discussed Europe's cloud position.
- The US cloud providers (Amazon, Google, Microsoft) offer extensive services, but European alternatives are often cheaper and viable.
- Unlike the paracetamol factory analogy, European cloud services can be cost-effective, though specific advanced services like distributed databases are lacking.
- Cloud costs often end up higher than promised due to complex pricing and expensive specific services.
- Europe still has a competitive IT industry, but urgent action is needed to avoid losing relevance to US cloud giants.
- The bulk of cloud services are within European capability, and high US prices create opportunity for European providers.
Hoe soeverein wil je zijn? - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Sovereignty involves a trade-off between benefits and costs, and it's useful to break down the concept into three key aspects: confidentiality, agility, and resilience.
- Confidentiality concerns who can access data; many government documents lack proper risk analysis before being exposed to foreign entities like Microsoft and the US government.
- Agility is about the ability to make independent choices; reliance on foreign suppliers can reduce influence over local needs and innovation.
- Resilience is the capacity to repair and maintain systems during crises, as seen in Ukraine's recovery from a hack; remote support may fail in such scenarios.
- Each aspect requires separate consideration for informed decisions on sovereignty, as they involve different trade-offs and solutions.
Communications without Musk and Trump: Cloud Kootwijk - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Historically, the Netherlands built Radio Kootwijk to escape foreign dependency on British-controlled cables for communication with the Dutch East Indies.
- Today, Europe and the Netherlands are heavily reliant on American cloud services, risking government communication and data privacy.
- The author proposes creating a 'Cloud Kootwijk'—a European-owned cloud infrastructure for secure, independent government communications.
- Urgent action is needed to build and use such a system daily, as current reliance on American tech poses an intolerable risk.
Maar hoe bouw je die cloud? - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Europe cannot rely on US clouds due to privacy and geopolitical risks, and lacks adequate European alternatives.
- Market forces have failed to create a real European cloud, requiring industrial policy and government intervention.
- Successful European projects like Galileo and Airbus show that strategic investment and collaboration can overcome initial doubts.
- Governments must develop in-house technical expertise to effectively manage industrial policy and avoid missteps.
- Smart procurement, not traditional subsidies, can drive innovation by specifying requirements like European jurisdiction over data.
- Specific initiatives like 'Eumail', 'Eutube', and a European anti-DDoS service could fill critical gaps without competing with free US services.
- Open source is essential but not sufficient; it needs commercial support, training, and business models that avoid selling user data.
- A German-style agency like SPRIND (fast, expert-driven innovation funding) could be replicated across Europe to fund breakthrough projects.
- A coherent strategy includes enforcing privacy laws, creative procurement, hiring experts, consolidating industry (Airbus-style), and preparing for trade disputes.
- Multiple parallel efforts are needed: government in-house projects, smart procurement, improved subsidies, and new innovation agencies.
But how to get to that European cloud? - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- European governments cannot rely on US cloud providers and lack viable alternatives; market forces have failed to deliver a European cloud.
- Industrial policy is needed, requiring governments to develop deep industry knowledge to avoid failed projects.
- Past successes like Galileo and Airbus show Europe can overcome massive challenges with coherent strategy and funding.
- Complex IT projects often fail due to unclear goals and bureaucratic procurement; governments must regain in-house capability.
- Smart procurement can drive development of European services like Eumail, Eutube, and open-source alternatives to US tools.
- Subsidies must be redesigned to avoid bureaucracy and attract developers; models like Germany's SPRIND show promise.
- A coherent strategy includes enforcing privacy laws, creative procurement, hiring experts, and commissioning open-source improvements.
- Multiple simultaneous actions are needed: legal enforcement, procurement signals, talent development, and innovation agencies.
- Open source is a strong foundation but requires viable business models and support to compete with US giants.
- Europe must combine talent and funding to build a sovereign cloud, similar to creating an Airbus for the digital age.
A coherent European/non-US cloud strategy: building railroads for the cloud economy - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- European companies and governments rely on US cloud services due to lock-in and lack of viable alternatives, requiring a two-step strategy to first bridge feature gaps and then stimulate adoption.
- A coherent cloud strategy involves multiple 'no regrets' actions, including enforcing GDPR, reforming procurement, building open-source cloud services, and fostering local talent development.
- Rather than recreating US hyperscalers, Europe should leverage existing strengths in hardware and networking, then develop and standardize open-source software for key cloud services to enable local providers.
- Funding for open-source cloud software (e.g., key-value stores, S3-like services, IAM) at modest levels can bootstrap a European cloud ecosystem, akin to building 'railroads' for the cloud economy.
- Governments must combine investment with legal enforcement and procurement reforms to drive adoption, ensuring European alternatives become practical and preferred over US services.
Verslagje nota overleg 'Wolken aan de horizon' - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Dutch parliament debated the initiative 'Wolken aan de Horizon', which aims for 30% European cloud usage by 2029.
- Supporters argue for digital sovereignty and reducing dependence on US tech giants, while critics (VVD, PVV) prefer US alliance and question costs.
- The government acknowledges urgency but remains vague on concrete goals, promising details in the upcoming National Digitalisation Strategy (NDS).
- There is no clear overview of how much the Dutch government spends on US cloud services.
- Several motions were proposed, including appointing a cloud commissioner, promoting the Eurostack, and requiring risk assessments for cloud procurement.
The European Cloud/Computing Situation - Bert Hubert's writings
2 months ago
- Software ownership shifted from perpetual licenses to SaaS, reducing local IT needs but increasing dependency on providers.
- Most SaaS providers now rely on US hyperscalers (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) for advanced services, creating deep lock-in.
- European hardware providers exist but lack the advanced cloud services offered by US hyperscalers.
- The norm is to develop software that only runs on US clouds, making alternative approaches seem infeasible.
- Education systems and startup vouchers reinforce reliance on US cloud technologies.
- Two change paths: 1) Develop SaaS providers that can host on non-US clouds, 2) Build European cloud providers mimicking US capabilities to enable government migration.
- Deeply integrated systems like MS-365 require years to migrate, making change difficult for some organizations.

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digital sovereignty

What Is Digital Sovereignty

Online identity is owned by your email provider (2019)

Substack writers, you need a website

Bijeenkomst Cloud en Digitale Open Strategische Autonomie - Bert Hubert's writings

Cloud Naïve: Europe and the 'Bijenkorf' Megascaler - Bert Hubert's writings

Demissionair de cloud in denderen: doe het niet - Bert Hubert's writings

Europe's Software Problem - Bert Hubert's writings

Demystifying European Digital Sovereignty - Bert Hubert's writings

Taking the Airbus to the IKEA Cloud - Bert Hubert's writings

European Innovation & Technical Capabilities - Bert Hubert's writings

How sovereign do you want to be? - Bert Hubert's writings

De hele overheid naar de cloud? Dat is een politiek besluit. - Bert Hubert's writings

De cloud is geen paracetamolfabriek - Bert Hubert's writings

Hoe soeverein wil je zijn? - Bert Hubert's writings

Communications without Musk and Trump: Cloud Kootwijk - Bert Hubert's writings

Maar hoe bouw je die cloud? - Bert Hubert's writings

But how to get to that European cloud? - Bert Hubert's writings

A coherent European/non-US cloud strategy: building railroads for the cloud economy - Bert Hubert's writings

Verslagje nota overleg 'Wolken aan de horizon' - Bert Hubert's writings

The European Cloud/Computing Situation - Bert Hubert's writings