Netherlands warns dependence on US tech could have "major consequences" for society
Experts think it could promote competition among IT service providers.
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- Dutch authorities jointly urged the government to reduce dependence on American tech giants, citing risks from disruptions, cyberattacks, and geopolitical tensions.
- Heavy reliance on a small number of non-European providers makes switching costly and complex for businesses and government.
- Regulators want companies to negotiate contracts requiring open standards, interoperability, and easier supplier switching when procuring IT services.
- Digital autonomy doesn't mean cutting ties with US tech firms, but ensuring organizations have freedom to switch providers and promote competition.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Various regulators in the Netherlands are voicing concerns about the country’s dependence on American tech companies and calling for immediate action to strengthen digital autonomy.
Last Friday, the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM), the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), the data protection authority (AP), the Dutch banking authority (DNB), and the Authority for Digital Infrastructure (RDI) handed over a report to Minister for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty Willemijn Aerdts, warning the government not to sit back but spring into action.
“Disruptions, cyber incidents, and geopolitical tensions can have major consequences for businesses, governments, and society. Furthermore, heavy reliance on a small number of non-European service providers limits choice and makes switching to another provider costly and complex,” the regulators state.
One key recommendation is that companies should work more closely with IT suppliers when negotiating contracts to strengthen their digital autonomy. This can be done by setting requirements for the use of open standards, interoperability, and the ability to switch suppliers easily, thereby limiting the risk of vendor lock-in.
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Governments, companies, and institutions should make use of the EU Data Act, which requires cloud providers to facilitate data portability and interoperability.
Furthermore, governments and companies should explicitly take digital autonomy into account when procuring IT services. This way, they can act as a driving force for European digital services.
“Digital autonomy is about freedom of choice and control for organizations that use IT services to increase their resilience. It doesn’t require complete technological independence. It does, however, require a more open IT architecture and choices that support collaboration among different IT providers, facilitate switching, and promote competition,” the regulators conclude.
The regulators’ call aligns with a broader trend toward better management of digital risks and reducing dependence on a handful of American tech companies.
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In February 2026, the Dutch privacy and data protection authority voiced its concerns about the digital autonomy and sovereignty of the Netherlands. The privacy watchdog advised the government to take immediate action.
“In recent years, the Netherlands has become heavily dependent on a limited number of large foreign cloud and IT service providers for its vital processes. This dependence, combined with rapidly changing geopolitical relations, means that the Dutch data protection authority (AP) has no choice but to share its serious concerns about the continuity of vital processes in the Netherlands with you,” the data protection authority wrote in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
