Utrecht Takes Steps to Reduce Dependence on US Tech

By Netvora Tech News

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The city of Utrecht has voted to reduce its dependence on American tech companies, citing concerns over national security and data privacy. The motion, passed by the city council, aims to shift the city's reliance on US-based tech firms to European and Dutch alternatives. The city's decision comes amid growing tensions between the US and Europe over data privacy and security. American tech giants, such as Google and Microsoft, have long been criticized for their role in collecting and sharing personal data, often without the knowledge or consent of individuals. The motion, proposed by city council members Victor Paalman and Achraf Ait Daoua, calls for the city to conduct a risk analysis of its current dependence on American tech providers, categorize municipal data, and establish guidelines for data use in the public cloud. The council also urges the city to seek out partnerships with European and Dutch companies to reduce its reliance on US tech firms. If no partnerships are found, the city will be required to begin the project itself. Paalman emphasized that Utrecht is one of the first Dutch municipalities to take this step, citing the need for more transparency and control over data. The motion was supported by the BIJ1, D66, DENK, GroenLinks, group Zwanenberg, Horizon, Party for the Animals, and Volt parties. The CDA, ChristenUnie, EenUtrecht, PvdA, Student and Starter, UtrechtNu!, and VVD parties, however, voted against the motion. The city's move follows a growing trend of European governments seeking to reduce their dependence on American tech companies. Germany, for example, has launched its own cloud computing initiative, aimed at reducing its reliance on US-based providers. The Utrecht council's decision is a significant step towards greater data sovereignty, and could pave the way for other Dutch municipalities to follow suit. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it is clear that the importance of data privacy and security will only continue to grow.