Dutch Concerns Over U.S. Tech Dependence Following ICC Email Block
The Hague, Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
The blocking of ICC Chief Prosecutor’s Microsoft email has fueled debate in the Netherlands about the heavy reliance on U.S. tech firms, urging a push for European digital independence.
Immediate Impact and Response
Microsoft’s blocking of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s email account on May 18, 2025, has triggered an immediate response from Dutch public institutions [1]. At least ten vital Dutch public-sector organizations have contacted the domestic cloud provider Intermax Group to explore reducing their reliance on U.S.-based cloud services [2]. According to Ludo Baauw, Director of Intermax Group, this transition presents significant challenges: ‘The vast majority of the national government is now having second thoughts, but switching isn’t easy. A typical IT migration can take six months to three years’ [2].
Government Reevaluation
The incident has prompted a critical review of the Dutch government’s technology partnerships. The ‘Beter Samen Werken’ (Better Working Together) initiative, which adopted Microsoft Teams in 2023, is now under reevaluation by the Ministry of the Interior due to mounting concerns over digital autonomy [2]. The situation has been particularly concerning as Dutch law requires critical infrastructure organizations to maintain backup systems, leading hospitals and key institutions to work with Intermax in creating domestic email backups [2].
European Response and Future Solutions
The European Union has already taken steps toward digital sovereignty, allocating €1.3 billion in March 2025 for strengthening digital capabilities in healthcare and cybersecurity [3]. In response to the current crisis, the Open-Source Business Alliance (OSBA) has criticized Microsoft’s actions as ‘unprecedented in this context and with this impact’ [4]. Peter Ganten, OSBA Chairman, emphasizes that these events must serve as a wake-up call for securing state and private IT infrastructure [4].
Looking Forward
The Netherlands is not facing this challenge alone. A broader European initiative for digital sovereignty is emerging, with the upcoming Nextcloud Summit in Munich on June 5, 2025, set to address these critical issues [5]. The summit will bring together policy experts and tech leaders to discuss practical solutions for European digital independence, demonstrating that the continent is actively working to reduce its technological dependence on U.S. companies [5].