New commitments, old dependencies
On April 30, Microsoft released a comprehensive statement under the title Our European Cloud Principles and Commitments (Source: https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/04/30/european-digital-commitments/). In it, the company promises, among other things, data centers under full European legal and operational supervision, closer cooperation with regulators, and a greater role for European partners. It seems like a change of course, but appearances are deceiving. What's changing is the packaging. The core remains: Europe entrusts its digital backbone to an American company, which determines how far its transparency extends.
“A façade can seem European, as long as you don’t look at the foundation.”
European supervision, US frameworks
Microsoft says that certain cloud services within the EU Data Boundary will be fully under European operational control. It sounds like sovereignty, but that control is outsourced to local partners who operate within Microsoft's contracts, processes and technology. Legally, these services remain subject to the U.S. parent company and the U.S. Cloud Act. It's a European coat about an American skeleton.
‘Non-controlling supervision is only shadow management.’
SURF and Microsoft: the door turns through
It is remarkable that Jet de Ranitz, former chairman of SURF, now acts on behalf of Microsoft. During her time at SURF, she actively advocated for Microsoft products within Dutch higher education. Now that she has switched to the tech giant itself, the interests have become visible in any case. Transparency about lobbying begins where double hats are dropped off.
“Those who represent interests must visibly choose who they serve.”
Is this the autonomy that Europe needs?
That Microsoft is taking steps towards European demands is in itself a response to pressure from Brussels and proof that critical legislation is working. But that doesn't mean that's enough. No commitment changes the fact that the software, infrastructure, and policy control remain in U.S. hands. Real autonomy calls for European alternatives: open source, public cloud infrastructure, and independent innovation.
“Real autonomy cannot be achieved by letting others write your terms.”
Time for European Choices
It is time for Europe to trade the comforts of trusted American players for the long haul of digital self-determination. That means investing in your own platforms, talent and standards. Not because Microsoft is acting badly per se, but because voluntary compromises by a foreign market leader can never form a sustainable foundation for public infrastructure.
“If you want to shape your future, you have to stop outsourcing it.”
English (UK)