The call finds an echo in this week's news, with the European justice system canceling the agreement on the transfer of personal data ("Privacy Shield") between Europe and the United States. A device widely used by almost all large American companies to process the personal data (identity, online behavior, geolocation, etc.) of their European users.
The call for digital independence is a logical continuation of this questioning, with the aim of developing a European alternative based on the common good . " If Europe joins forces now and launches an ambitious initiative, a public digital space can emerge that offers fair conditions of access and use, strengthens public discourse and ensures the plurality of Europe's identity ," adds Ulrich Wilhelm.
Defending European values: openness and diversity
This is not about locking ourselves into a hermetic European solution . Unlike the American and Chinese models, this new European digital ecosystem would be open and transparent.
Universities, the cultural and media sectors and other bank data companies from all continents could indeed participate if they respect its values and principles .
This differentiation from existing models is also highlighted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who, on the sidelines of a press conference on July 14, commented very positively on the initiative: rather than limiting the space of American and Chinese players, it is about developing new independent European solutions, a logic already initiated by a number of projects already underway, such as that of a data and cloud computing infrastructure (" Gaia-X ") jointly led by Germany and France, and supported by many companies from both countries, and other projects in the Artificial Intelligence sector .
The implementation of this governance would involve a global approach with leverage at all levels: European, national, regional. A European digital agency or a European network of national agencies would manage all issues, from regulation to research funding , including market incentives, standard setting and purely governmental tasks .