Top Cyber Chief Says EU Data Sovereignty Lost Cause
Miguel De Bruycker, who leads the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB), delivered the stark assessment to media, highlighting how EU attempts at digital independence clash with market realities.
After the EU enforced binding requirements for general-purpose AI systems last year, the regulations triggered immediate domestic opposition centered on fears that steep compliance expenses were choking innovation and deterring investment. This internal resistance intensified when the US government and leading technology corporations denounced the framework as protectionist tactics deliberately aimed at penalizing American enterprises.
"We've lost the whole cloud. We have lost the internet, let's be honest," De Bruycker said earlier this week in an interview with media. "If I want my information 100% in the EU, keep on dreaming," he added. "You're setting an objective that is not realistic."
The cybersecurity director emphasized that achieving full European data storage remains impossible given that US corporations control both digital infrastructure backbone systems and critical online platforms.
"In cyberspace, everything is commercial. Everything is privately owned," De Bruycker said, stressing that EU's cyber defenses depend on cooperation from private companies, most of which are American.
The EU's AI Act introduced enforceable standards for general-purpose AI frameworks effective August 2, 2025. These requirements mandate that developers marketing such systems within the EU satisfy transparency and documentation standards while adhering to copyright provisions, with more rigorous obligations imposed on the most advanced systems designated as presenting systemic threats. The EU AI Office administers enforcement of these provisions.
Brussels found itself compelled to retreat in late 2025 through its Digital Simplification Package. The measure emerged following intense domestic criticism spearheaded by national technology leaders including France's Mistral AI and Germany's Aleph Alpha, targeting relief for European startups facing regulatory pressures. Officials granted prolonged compliance timelines and established the Apply AI Alliance to deliver technical assistance.
De Bruycker advocated that Brussels should champion private-sector initiatives to strengthen cloud infrastructure and digital identity systems. He proposed an approach resembling the Airbus consortium formation, which received joint backing from member nations, advocating for comparable collaborative action at EU scale within cybersecurity domains.
"Instead of putting that focus on how can we stop the US 'hyperscalers', maybe we put our energy in . . . building up something by ourselves," the CCB chief said.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
