Microsoft Pledges Data Privacy, Digital Stability for Europe
Microsoft announced five commitments to show its "steadfast support" for Europe and its wish to provide digital stability.
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The company Wednesday promised to continue to protect Europeans' private data (see 2504300026), noting it recently completed its EU data boundary project that gives European customers the ability to have their data stored and processed in Europe. The company also gives Europeans multiple choices for securing and encrypting their data, and has a "strong track record" of going to court in the rare cases that it needs to shield European data from unauthorized access, it said.
Microsoft also committed to increasing its European datacenter capacity by 40% during the next two years, expanding operations in 16 European countries. The move will result in cloud operations in more than 200 datacenters across the continent, helping boost Europe's competitiveness and economic growth, it said. In addition, it promised to respect European laws such as the Digital Markets Act.
The company said it's committed to upholding Europe's digital resilience. Building a European cloud for Europe will help the continent navigate geopolitical and trade uncertainties and manage risk better, it said. "We will always strive to be a voice of reason that promotes mutual opportunities and stable ties across the Atlantic."
Moreover, the company added, if it's ever ordered by any government to suspend or cease its European cloud operations, it will "promptly and vigorously contest" the order.
Microsoft said it will "always help project and defend Europe's cybersecurity," as when, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the company helped evacuate Ukraine's critical data and technology services to its data centers across Europe.
Moreover, Microsoft announced cybersecurity actions, including appointing a deputy chief information security officer for Europe, who will be responsible for ensuring compliance with such EU laws as the Digital Operational Resilience Act, Network and Information Security2 Directive and Cyber Resilience Act.
The final commitment, Microsoft said, is to help boost Europe's economic competitiveness, including for open source. Among other things, the company said it will ensure open access to its AI and cloud platforms and infrastructure, including for open-source development.