Can Europe ever trust US tech again?
European governments are reportedly re-evaluating their reliance on United States technology and services following a recent incident involving the International Criminal Court (ICC). This reassessment gained momentum after President Donald Trump sanctioned Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor at the ICC, in response to the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. Subsequently, Microsoft deactivated Khan’s email address, an action that has prompted significant scrutiny across Europe regarding the vulnerabilities associated with dependence on American technology providers.
The deactivation of Chief Prosecutor Khan’s email address by Microsoft served as a pivotal moment for many European observers. Casper Klynge, a former diplomat who has also been employed by Microsoft, characterized the incident in a statement to The New York Times, describing it as “the smoking gun that many Europeans had been looking for.” This event, according to Klynge, provided a concrete illustration of potential risks, catalyzing a more intensified search for alternative technological solutions within Europe. An immediate response observed among some ICC personnel involved a reported migration to Proton, a Swiss-based email service, indicating a tangible shift in preference towards non-U.S. providers.
Klynge further articulated the core concern underpinning this European reconsideration. He stated, “If the U.S. administration goes after certain organizations, countries or individuals, the fear is American companies are obligated to comply.” This statement highlights the apprehension among European entities that U.S.-based technology companies, by virtue of their jurisdiction, may be compelled to adhere to U.S. government directives, potentially impacting the operations and data security of their non-U.S. clients, including international organizations and sovereign states.
Microsoft has addressed the concerns raised by the incident involving Chief Prosecutor Khan. The company has publicly stated that it has implemented policy adjustments designed to safeguard customers in comparable future scenarios. Furthermore, Microsoft pointed out that it did not terminate the email accounts of four ICC judges who had previously been sanctioned by President Trump earlier in the month, indicating a distinction in its historical response to U.S. sanctions against ICC officials. This information provides additional context regarding Microsoft’s operational policies in relation to U.S. government actions targeting international entities.
Adding to these developments, Satya Nadella, the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, recently announced the introduction of new “sovereign solutions.” These solutions are specifically designed to enhance the protection and autonomy of European institutions utilizing Microsoft’s services.