Dutch MPs Push for National Cloud System to Secure Sensitive Data
The Hague, Thursday, 20 March 2025.
Dutch MPs propose developing a national cloud infrastructure, moving away from US services, to ensure data security and increase technological independence.
Parliamentary Push for Digital Sovereignty
In a significant move on March 18, 2025, the Dutch parliament approved eight decisive motions aimed at reducing the nation’s dependence on U.S. cloud services [1]. The initiative, spearheaded by GroenLinks-PvdA MP Barbara Kathmann, specifically targets the migration of sensitive government data, including tax returns, contracts, and medical records, currently stored with American tech giants [2]. The parliamentary action comes in response to mounting concerns about the U.S. CLOUD Act, which enables American authorities to access data stored by U.S. companies, regardless of physical server location [2][3].
Current Infrastructure Assessment
A recent audit revealed the extensive reach of U.S. cloud services within Dutch government operations, with approximately 700 out of 1,588 government services utilizing open platforms provided by American companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google [2]. This dependence has raised serious security concerns, with audit office spokesman Ewout Irrgang warning about potential unauthorized access to government and private individual data by foreign entities [2]. The situation has become particularly urgent in light of changing geopolitical dynamics, with Dutch MP Barbara Kathmann asserting that ‘with each IT service our government moves to American tech giants, we become dumber and weaker’ [1].
Emerging Dutch Solutions
The Dutch market is already showing promising developments in national cloud infrastructure alternatives. A notable example is the partnership between ilionx and Uniserver, which has established a sovereign Dutch healthcare cloud compliant with European regulations [4]. This initiative demonstrates the feasibility of developing secure, localized cloud solutions, with Hans Hendrikx, Director of Business Development at Uniserver, confirming that ‘we have sufficient capacity and expertise in the Netherlands to successfully run vital infrastructures in a Dutch cloud’ [4].
European Context and Future Implications
The Dutch parliament’s initiative aligns with broader European concerns about digital sovereignty. Nearly 100 EU-based tech companies recently petitioned the European Commission to reduce reliance on U.S. systems [1]. The motion’s passage on March 18, 2025, signals a clear directive for the Dutch government to prioritize European providers in tenders for vital ICT services [3]. This shift towards technological independence represents a crucial step in establishing what MP Marieke Koekkoek describes as ‘Europe’s strategic digital autonomy’ for economic, technological, and national security purposes [3].