Top economist warns Europe has become a digital colony dependent on US tech

Cristina Caffarra, a veteran of European competition economics, told E24 that big-tech firms view EU regulators as weak and that fines imposed since 2018 have not reduced their influence. She describes Europe’s reliance on US-owned cloud platforms, data systems and other digital infrastructure as a form of digital colonisation, with Norway and the broader Scandinavian region being among the most dependent. Caffarra cites research indicating substantial yearly value flowing to the United States through these services.

She urges three actions: develop complete European alternatives, create demand by having governments and firms buy them, and channel capital into the local tech sector. At a Virke conference, Bernt G. Apeland agreed, stressing the need to split public contracts so smaller Norwegian firms can compete and avoid swapping one monopoly for another.