Dutch Software CEO Warns of Critical Need for National Digital Independence
The Hague, Tuesday, 7 April 2026.
AFAS CEO Bas van der Veldt declares digital sovereignty no longer optional but essential for Netherlands’ security and economic independence. Growing cybersecurity threats and geopolitical tensions drive urgent calls for concrete strategies reducing foreign technology dependence while building domestic capabilities.
From Buzzword to Business Critical Reality
Digital sovereignty has transformed from theoretical concept to urgent operational necessity for Dutch organizations, according to Bas van der Veldt, CEO of AFAS Software [1]. Writing on April 6, 2026, van der Veldt emphasized that digital sovereignty means having control over data, technology, and suppliers - a concept that sounds logical but proves extraordinarily complex in practice [1]. The AFAS leader highlighted three critical questions organizations must address: where their data actually resides, under which legislation it falls, and how dependent they are on external suppliers [2]. This shift in perspective comes as global tensions escalate, making digital independence increasingly important for national and economic security [1].
Geopolitical Tensions Drive Digital Independence Urgency
The growing mistrust of traditional allies has accelerated the push for digital sovereignty across Europe. Van der Veldt pointed to concerning developments, including allegations that former President Trump used Microsoft to shut down the mailbox of the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague [1]. This incident exemplifies why many companies, healthcare organizations, and government entities now question whether the United States can still be trusted as a reliable technology partner [1]. The situation has created widespread concern among Dutch organizations about their digital dependencies, with van der Veldt noting that digital sovereignty discussions now feature in almost every conversation he has with businesses, healthcare providers, and government agencies [2].
The Illusion of Complete Digital Independence
Achieving absolute digital sovereignty remains unrealistic, van der Veldt acknowledged, describing it as an ongoing process rather than a destination [1][2]. Many companies that appear Dutch are actually controlled by American private equity firms, highlighting the hidden nature of technological dependencies [1]. The AFAS CEO emphasized that organizations must continuously work to identify risks, understand software ownership, determine data locations, and strengthen legal agreements [1]. This reality check comes as the broader software landscape in 2025-2026 has evolved into an integrated, AI-driven ecosystem where over 70% of business software operates in the cloud, intensifying the need for data sovereignty and European hosting [5].
Practical Steps Toward Digital Autonomy
AFAS demonstrates one approach to digital sovereignty by maintaining servers exclusively in Europe and developing proprietary software to ensure transparency and control [1]. The company ensures customers retain full control over their data, offering easy export in open formats and cost-free switching to other providers [1]. However, van der Veldt acknowledged that achieving digital sovereignty requires making difficult trade-offs between functionality, performance, and security, particularly concerning artificial intelligence where American products currently outperform European alternatives [1]. Dutch companies should collaborate and share ideas on digital sovereignty to learn from each other and achieve sustainable success, he suggested [1]. The broader industry trend shows European organizations increasingly choosing European hosting and open-source alternatives to reduce foreign dependencies [5].