The massive Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage yesterday revealed a harsh truth: Europe remains dependent on US corporations for its cloud infrastructure. For a sustainable digital transformation and sovereign Greentech solutions, Europe must urgently build its own cloud ecosystems.
By Jan Nintemann und Jochen Siegle; Photo: Bernd Dittrich via Unsplash
On Monday, users around the world experienced major disruptions on services like Signal, Snapchat, and Canva. The cause: a failure at Amazon Web Services (AWS) – one of the world’s largest cloud providers.
The problem originated in the DNS system, the Internet’s digital “address book.” The result was a cascading outage that took down numerous websites and apps simultaneously.
AWS is a core component of the global digital infrastructure used by thousands of companies. Alongside Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, AWS controls around 63% of the global cloud market.
Such incidents highlight just how vulnerable Europe becomes when its critical digital services are hosted outside the EU.
Europe’s Digital Sovereignty – More Urgent Than Ever
At the TransformIT Conference & Expo in Brussels (May 2025), experts already warned that Europe must develop independent cloud services to reduce its reliance on US tech giants.
The AWS outage serves as a clear wake-up call – the dependency has become almost grotesque.
One striking example underscores this risk: the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) plan to migrate to US cloud services by 2027 – a move completely at odds with the goal of a sovereign European digital infrastructure. Europe must no longer remain technologically and strategically dependent on US platforms. A swift shift toward European cloud solutions is essential.
Digital Sovereignty as the Foundation of Greentech and Sustainable Transformation
Digital sovereignty is closely linked to Greentech, Green Business, and sustainability.
European cloud infrastructure could not only enhance security but also pave the way for energy-efficient, climate-friendly digital services.
As highlighted at TransformIT Europe in Brussels, Europe faces massive action gaps in this area. Discussion is not enough – action must follow.
European Cloud Providers Are Gaining Ground
Across Europe, an increasing number of cloud providers are emerging as sovereign alternatives to US hyperscalers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
These European providers focus on data protection, GDPR compliance, and technological independence.
Among them are OVHcloud (France), IONOS Cloud (Germany), Open Telekom Cloud (Germany), Scaleway (France), and Exoscale (Switzerland). According to Prof. Dr. Harald Wehnes from the University of Würzburg’s Institute of Computer Science, European nations must take concrete steps to operate independently and securely in the digital sphere.
The AWS Outage Is a Global Warning Signal
Europe must develop independent cloud infrastructure to secure its digital future.
Sovereign platforms can empower Greentech companies and sustainable business projects while advancing Europe’s green and digital transformation. The time to act is now.
Sources & Links
- https://www.lessentiel.lu/de/story/amazon-tochter-nach-groesster-internet-panne-ist-die-amazon-cloud-wieder-online-103437137
- https://www.dw.com/de/amazon-web-services-st%C3%B6rung-l%C3%A4hmt-online-welt-stundenlang/a-74428322
- https://www.news.at/wirtschaft/amazon-meldet-cloud-storung
- https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/google-bundeswehr-setzt-fuer-die-naechsten-zehn-jahre-auf-cloud-dienste-01/100132904.html
