Microsoft rolls out ‘Sovereign Public Cloud' amid EU pressure on data localisation
Microsoft has unveiled a range of new cloud computing services tailored specifically for European governments and organisations, in a move aimed at easing growing concerns over data sovereignty and compliance with strict EU regulations.
The US-based tech firm announced its new 'Sovereign Public Cloud' offering on Monday, emphasising that the platform is designed to ensure European data remains within the bloc and under local control. The development comes amid ongoing unease in Europe over the dominance of American tech giants and the extraterritorial reach of US data laws.
Under the new model, only personnel based in the European Union will have authority over remote access to cloud systems hosted in the region. Microsoft stated that 'all remote access by Microsoft engineers to the systems that store and process your data in Europe is approved and monitored by European resident personnel in real-time,' adding that these activities will be recorded in a tamper-proof ledger.
The initiative also enables clients—particularly governments, critical infrastructure providers, and entities in regulated sectors—to run localised, isolated instances of Microsoft's productivity tools, such as Exchange and SharePoint. These systems can be deployed within a customer's own data centre, granting them full autonomy over data governance, security, and compliance.
'This solution is designed for those needing to meet the highest standards of data residency, operational autonomy, and disconnected access,' Microsoft said in a statement. The firm added that the services would be available by the end of 2025.
The new offerings build on Microsoft's earlier commitment in April to invest in expanding its data centre footprint across 16 European countries, foster an AI innovation ecosystem in the region, and collaborate more closely with European cloud providers.
Currently, US firms are estimated to control between 70 and 80 per cent of the European cloud services market, a situation that has prompted calls for stronger local alternatives. France, in particular, has advocated for greater European self-reliance in digital infrastructure, citing the risk of foreign access to sensitive data.
European privacy advocates and governments have voiced concerns over provisions in US legislation that allow Washington to compel tech companies to hand over data, regardless of where it is stored.
In a notable example of this growing resistance, the German state of Schleswig-Holstein announced last week that it would begin phasing out Microsoft products from its public administration systems later this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
How America's new plan to cut China's supply chain for Apple, Google, Samsung and other technology companies has worried Vietnam
The United States reportedly has another plan to cut China's hardware and components supply chain of Apple, Google, Samsung, Meta and other technology companies. According to a report in Reuters, America is urging Vietnam to reduce Chinese technology in devices assembled in the country and exported to America. Vietnam, a hub for tech giants like Apple and Samsung, relies heavily on Chinese components, with Meta and Google also producing goods like VR headsets and smartphones there. Vietnam has held meetings with local businesses to increase the use of Vietnamese parts, with firms expressing willingness but noting the need for time and technology, one source told Reuters. Trump Tariffs: 46% tariff threat and ... The Trump administration has threatened 46% tariffs, which could disrupt Vietnam's export-driven economy. One source said that Vietnam was asked to "reduce its dependency on Chinese high-tech" to restructure supply chains and lessen US reliance on Chinese components. Another source highlighted the US goal of accelerating decoupling from Chinese tech while boosting Vietnam's industrial capacity, citing VR devices as an example. With a US-imposed tariff deadline of July 8 looming, the scope and timing of a potential deal reportedly remain uncertain. Sources emphasized that reducing Chinese high-tech content in exports is a US priority. Last year, China exported $44 billion in tech goods to Vietnam, 30% of its total exports there, while Vietnam shipped $33 billion in tech goods to the US, per Vietnam's customs data. The US also wants Vietnam to address Chinese goods mislabeled as "Made in Vietnam" to evade higher duties. Vietnam's trade ministry noted progress in recent Washington talks but said key issues remain unresolved. What is Vietnam's big worry Vietnam's Communist Party chief, To Lam, may meet President Trump in late June, though no date is confirmed, sources told Reuters. Local companies have shown willingness to adapt but warned that rapid changes could "destroy business," one source said. Industry experts note that Vietnam's supply chain lags China's by 15–20 years but is progressing in sectors like electronics. Abrupt shifts could strain Vietnam's ties with China, a key investor and also lead to security concerns.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Gold price today: MCX Gold dropped 1.44% to ₹98,825 as early gains wore off amid Israel-Iran conflict
Gold price today: Gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) dropped 1.44 per cent or by ₹ 1,451 per 10 grams on Monday, 16 June 2025, as the early gains eroded due to the easing investor tensions over other nations involving themselves in the Israel-Iran conflict, and weak global cues. Gold futures for the August 2025 contract dropped 1.44 per cent or by ₹ 1,451 per 10 grams to an intraday low of ₹ 98,825 per 10 grams on Monday's commodity market session, compared to ₹ 1,00,276 per 10 grams at the previous market close. As of 10:39 p.m. (IST), the gold futures on the MCX are trading 1 per cent lower at ₹ 99,274 per 10 grams, according to the official data. Meanwhile, Silver futures were flat after a volatile session on Monday, at ₹ 1,06,563 per kilogram, compared to ₹ 1,06,493 per kilogram at the previous commodity market session. A sell-off in these precious commodities shows a reduced appetite for safe-haven assets and a shift in investor demand for riskier assets like stocks, as they regain confidence amid easing global uncertainty. Global gold also edged lower after a rise in the early session on Monday as investor tensions eased amid the Israel-Iran conflict. The US-based Comex Gold dropped to $3,390 an ounce as the two nations exchanged fire for the fourth day on 16 June, reported the news agency Bloomberg. 'Prices are still very close to the record, and given the geopolitical situation, any further escalation will push them higher,' John Feeney, an analyst at Guardian Gold Australia, told the news agency. 'Gold has performed very well as a haven recently, and it seems a lot of investors are moving funds out of US bonds and into the metal over the longer term,' he said. The spot gold price also dropped 0.89 per cent to $3,401.96 per ounce as of 11:11 a.m. in New York, according to the agency report.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Consider setting up permanent consumer courts: SC to Centre
Nagpur: The Supreme Court recently directed the central govt to create a permanent adjudicatory framework comprising full-time staff and presiding officers for consumer disputes in India. The Centre was directed to submit an affidavit in three months on the feasibility of setting up a permanent consumer tribunal or court. It emphasised that consumer forums cannot be run on temporary tenure-based appointments. "We would only implore upon it to appreciate the pressing need for a permanent structure," the bench noted. The court, invoking powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, passed sweeping directions in a batch of appeals, while ruling on the legality and structure of consumer forums under the 2020 Rules. The SC directed that the new rules, to be notified within four months, must strictly follow earlier judgments in Rojer Mathew and Madras Bar Association cases and include a fixed five-year tenure. It also ruled that the selection committee must have a judiciary-majority composition. No written exam or viva voce will be needed for appointing or reappointing presidents and judicial members of state and district commissions, while such a process will be required only for non-judicial posts, in consultation with respective state service commissions. The SC upheld that only serving or retired district judges would be eligible for the post of district commission presidents. Once the new rules are in place, all states must complete recruitment under them within four months. Striking a Constitutional note, the bench stated, "Consumerism constitutes the very spirit of the Constitution," linking it with Articles 38, 39, and 47. It called consumer rights inalienable and remarked that consumer litigation is a form of public interest litigation, strengthening participatory democracy — a basic feature of the Constitution. The judgment also addressed three HC rulings from Bombay and Telangana concerning appointment procedures. It upheld the Bombay HC's decision to strike down parts of the 2020 Rules but modified certain aspects relating to reappointments and tenure clarifications. It also ruled that all serving appointees, whether selected before or after the Supreme Court's first ruling in the case in March 2023, may continue until the completion of fresh recruitment under the new rules. Tushar Mandlekar, assisted by Tejas Fadnavis, Astha Sharma and Anju Thomas, represented the original petitioner Mahendra Limaye, a Nagpur-based lawyer, while assistant solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the central govt. Limaye had approached Nagpur bench of Bombay HC challenging an advertisement issued in May this year for recruitment of members or president in district and state consumer commissions in Maharashtra. The HC order stated, "Rule 6(1) of the Rules of 2020 is struck down on the ground that the same results in diluting the involvement of the judiciary in the process of appointment of the president and members of the state commission and the district commission. The said Rule is against the spirit of the decision of the Constitution Bench". The SC bench made it clear that existing appointees allowed to continue under this judgment will serve a four-year tenure, not the new five-year term. "We feel that the time has come to effect a change in mindset revamping the tenure of office in consumer fora," the judges observed.
