According to documents, the European Union is planning to introduce strict access criteria for cloud computing services in critical public procurement projects. This move could potentially exclude three major US technology companies—Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet—from participating in such initiatives.
The proposal is part of the European Commission's "Cloud and Artificial Intelligence Development Act." The EU's digital affairs chief is set to formally announce this legislation and its accompanying policies on Wednesday, with the core objective of reducing Europe's reliance on US technology.
This previously undisclosed proposal may still undergo adjustments before finalization. It introduces new mandatory evaluation criteria beyond price, prioritizing the selection of software and hardware products developed within the EU. This is expected to further restrict the involvement of large US tech corporations.
The European Commission has not commented on the specific details of the plan but stated that this set of policies aimed at technological autonomy is "crucial for enhancing Europe's domestic technological capabilities, strengthening regional competitiveness, and improving security."