European Businesses Fear US Tech 'Kill Switch' Amid Rising Tensions
Rising US-Europe tensions have sparked fears among 75% of European businesses that a US tech 'kill switch' could cripple their operations, with many seeking sovereign alternatives, particularly for email and cloud services.
Key points
- A survey of 1,500 European businesses found that 75% fear a US tech 'kill switch' could deal an economic 'death blow'.
- Most European businesses rely on US-based software, but nearly 60% lack a tested continuity plan.
- European businesses predict significant losses from downtime, with 1 in 4 expecting €100,000 losses in a single day.
- US President Donald Trump has criticized European tech regulations and vowed to investigate the EU for anti-competitive practices.
The escalating tensions between the US and Europe have led to concerns among European businesses about the potential impact of a US tech 'kill switch'. A recent survey by Proton found that 75% of European businesses fear that such a measure could severely impact their operations, with many seeking sovereign alternatives to mitigate the risk.
The survey, which polled 1,500 businesses in the UK, France, and Germany, revealed that nearly 60% of respondents lack a tested continuity plan in place, leaving them vulnerable to disruptions. European businesses are particularly concerned about the potential impact of a 'kill switch' on their reliance on US-based software, with many using services like email and cloud storage.
The predicted losses from downtime are significant, with 1 in 4 businesses expecting losses of €100,000 in a single day, and half predicting losses of over €50,000. The survey highlights the operational risks posed by geopolitical tensions and the need for European businesses to develop contingency plans to mitigate the impact of a 'kill switch'.
The US President, Donald Trump, has been critical of European tech regulations, accusing them of 'robbing American companies and, in turn, the American taxpayer'. He has also vowed to investigate the European Union for fining US tech companies for anti-competitive practices, further fueling tensions between the two sides.
Sources
The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.