These Four Charts Show How Reliant Europe Is on U.S. Digital Infrastructure

Europe prides itself on digital sovereignty, data protection, and regulatory leadership. Yet beneath the surface of its thriving tech ecosystems lies a powerful reality: much of Europe’s digital infrastructure depends heavily on U.S.-based companies and technology systems. From cloud computing services to undersea cables and software platforms, American firms play a central role in powering Europe’s digital economy.
If we were to break this dependence into four clear visual stories — four charts — they would reveal how deeply embedded U.S. digital dominance remains across Europe’s infrastructure landscape.
Chart 1: Cloud Market Share — U.S. Giants Dominate
The first and most striking chart would show the European cloud computing market share. The overwhelming majority of cloud services used by European businesses and governments are provided by U.S. technology companies.
Leading providers include:
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Microsoft (Azure)
Google (Google Cloud)
Together, these firms control a significant portion of Europe’s cloud infrastructure market. European providers exist, but their scale is comparatively limited.
Cloud computing forms the backbone of modern digital services. Everything from government portals and healthcare systems to fintech platforms and AI startups relies on cloud servers for storage, computing power, and data analytics. When European companies store data in the cloud, chances are high that the servers are operated by American corporations — even if those data centers are physically located within Europe.
This reliance has sparked debates about “digital sovereignty,” especially after concerns over U.S. surveillance laws and cross-border data transfers. The European Union has responded with stricter data protection regulations and initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic alternatives. Yet market realities show that American providers remain deeply embedded.
Chart 2: Undersea Cables — Transatlantic Lifelines
The second chart would illustrate the network of undersea fiber-optic cables connecting Europe to the United States. These cables carry nearly all international internet traffic, forming the physical backbone of global communication.
Many of these transatlantic cables are either owned, co-owned, or financed by U.S. technology companies. Over the past decade, American tech giants have dramatically increased their investment in submarine cable infrastructure to secure faster and more reliable global connectivity.
The transatlantic route is one of the busiest digital highways in the world. Financial markets, cloud services, streaming platforms, and real-time communications all depend on it. A significant share of European internet traffic — whether for data storage, software updates, or video streaming — travels through infrastructure heavily influenced by U.S. firms.
This creates efficiency and performance benefits, but it also means Europe’s digital ecosystem is tightly interwoven with American-controlled connectivity routes.
Chart 3: Software Platforms and Operating Systems
The third chart would focus on software dominance. Europe’s businesses, schools, and governments rely extensively on U.S.-developed software ecosystems.
Operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and macOS power millions of European computers. Productivity tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace dominate workplace collaboration. Mobile ecosystems are largely defined by Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.
Even European startups often build their services using development tools, databases, and AI platforms provided by American firms. This creates a dependency chain: innovation in Europe often rests on technological foundations designed and maintained in the United States.
The dominance of these platforms provides standardization and interoperability, enabling seamless cross-border business. However, it also limits Europe’s control over core digital technologies.
Chart 4: Data Centers and Hyperscale Infrastructure
The fourth chart would highlight hyperscale data center ownership across Europe. While data centers may physically sit in Ireland, Germany, France, or the Netherlands, many are built and operated by American cloud providers.
Ireland, for example, has become a major European hub for U.S. tech firms. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google operate large-scale facilities there due to favorable corporate environments and connectivity advantages.
Data centers are critical infrastructure. They power online banking systems, government services, streaming platforms, and AI training models. The fact that many of Europe’s largest hyperscale facilities are owned by U.S. corporations underscores the structural reliance on American digital investment.
European policymakers have sought to counterbalance this through projects aimed at building homegrown cloud systems and encouraging domestic innovation. Yet building infrastructure at scale requires enormous capital — something U.S. tech giants have in abundance.
Why This Reliance Exists
Europe’s reliance on U.S. digital infrastructure did not emerge overnight. Several factors contributed:
Early Technological Leadership: American firms were pioneers in cloud computing, software ecosystems, and large-scale digital platforms.
Venture Capital Ecosystem: The U.S. tech sector benefited from strong private investment and rapid scaling.
Market Integration: European businesses prioritized efficiency and cost-effectiveness, often choosing the most advanced and scalable solutions available.
Globalization: The digital economy evolved in a borderless environment where technological ecosystems naturally crossed national boundaries.
The Debate Over Digital Sovereignty
The European Union has increasingly emphasized “digital sovereignty,” a concept focused on reducing overdependence on foreign technologies and strengthening domestic control over data and infrastructure.
Initiatives include:
Stricter data protection enforcement under GDPR.
Investment in European semiconductor manufacturing.
Encouraging domestic cloud and AI development.
Funding research into next-generation connectivity and cybersecurity.
However, achieving full independence is complex. Digital systems are interconnected globally, and abrupt decoupling could disrupt economic stability.
Risks and Opportunities
Reliance on U.S. infrastructure presents both risks and benefits.
Risks:
Potential vulnerability to geopolitical tensions.
Exposure to foreign legal frameworks.
Limited influence over platform policies and standards.
Benefits:
Access to world-class innovation.
Economies of scale that reduce costs.
Rapid deployment of advanced technologies.
Strong transatlantic cooperation in cybersecurity and research.
Rather than total separation, many analysts argue that diversification — not decoupling — is the realistic path forward.
A Transatlantic Digital Partnership
Europe and the United States share strong economic and political ties. In many ways, digital interdependence reflects broader cooperation rather than one-sided dependency.
American investment has accelerated Europe’s digital transformation, while European markets provide significant revenue for U.S. tech firms. The relationship is deeply mutual, though asymmetrical in infrastructure ownership.
Conclusion: A Digital Crossroads
The four charts — cloud dominance, undersea cables, software ecosystems, and hyperscale data centers — collectively reveal how reliant Europe remains on U.S. digital infrastructure.
Yet dependence does not necessarily mean weakness. It reflects decades of technological integration and shared innovation. The key question for Europe is not whether to disconnect from the United States, but how to build resilience, diversify partnerships, and strengthen its own technological capabilities while maintaining cooperation.
As digital infrastructure becomes as critical as electricity or transportation, Europe faces a strategic balancing act: preserving open markets and global integration while ensuring long-term digital autonomy.
The coming decade will determine whether Europe narrows the gap in infrastructure ownership — or continues operating within a transatlantic digital framework shaped largely by American innovation.