Europe has effectively lost control of its digital infrastructure and fallen far behind the United States in cyberspace, according to Belgium’s top cybersecurity official. In an interview with the Financial Times, Miguel De Bruycker delivered a stark assessment of Europe’s technological position and future risks.
De Bruycker, who has led Belgium’s Centre for Cybersecurity (CCB) since 2015, said Europe no longer controls critical digital layers such as cloud computing and the internet itself. His comments highlight growing concerns within European institutions about technological dependence on foreign powers.
“We’ve lost the whole cloud,” De Bruycker told the FT. “We have lost the internet, let’s be honest. If I want my information 100 per cent in the EU… keep on dreaming.” His remarks underline the dominance of US-based technology companies in global digital infrastructure.
According to De Bruycker, it is currently “impossible” to store data entirely within Europe without relying on infrastructure controlled by American firms. Even when data centres are physically located in Europe, they are often operated by US companies and subject to US legal frameworks.
In practical terms, this dependence means European countries, including Belgium, must work closely with mostly American private companies to manage their cyber defences. Cloud services, data storage, and cybersecurity tools are largely supplied by US hyperscalers such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
De Bruycker acknowledged that this situation does not automatically translate into an immediate security crisis. He described the reliance on US firms as “not an enormous security problem” at present, given strong alliances and shared interests between Europe and the United States.
However, he warned that the strategic cost could be high. Europe risks missing out on the full benefits of cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence if it remains dependent rather than developing its own capabilities.
“The real issue is innovation and autonomy,” De Bruycker suggested. Without strong domestic digital infrastructure, European companies may struggle to compete globally, while governments may lack full control over critical data and systems.
Rather than focusing primarily on limiting the power of US tech giants, De Bruycker argued that Europe should redirect its energy toward building its own digital ecosystem. This would include investing in European cloud providers, AI research, and large-scale digital infrastructure.
“Instead of putting that focus on how can we stop the US ‘hyperscalers’, maybe we put our energy in… building up something by ourselves,” he said. His comments echo wider debates in Brussels about “digital sovereignty.”
De Bruycker was also critical of Europe’s regulatory approach, particularly legislation such as the EU’s AI Act. While designed to ensure ethical and safe use of artificial intelligence, he believes the law may be slowing innovation.
He told the FT that such regulation is “blocking” European innovation by adding layers of compliance that do not exist in the US or parts of Asia. This, he argued, risks discouraging startups and pushing talent and investment abroad.
Supporters of the AI Act say strong regulation is necessary to protect citizens’ rights and prevent misuse of powerful technologies. Critics, however, warn that excessive caution could leave Europe permanently trailing more agile competitors.
De Bruycker’s comments come as the EU ramps up initiatives aimed at boosting digital independence, including funding for semiconductor production, cloud projects, and AI research. Yet progress has been slow and fragmented.
As geopolitical tensions rise and digital infrastructure becomes increasingly strategic, De Bruycker’s warning adds urgency to the debate. Without decisive investment and a shift in priorities, he suggests Europe may remain a consumer, rather than a leader, in the digital age.
