Utrecht municipality moves to cut dependence on U.S. tech companies

"Due to changing geopolitical relations, far-reaching political interference and conflicting norms and values, the city council no longer sees the U.S. as a reliable it-partner. The City of Utrecht is one of the first Dutch governments to take this step," said Horizon City Council member Victor Paalman. Together with Achraf Ait Daoua of D66, he submitted this motion.

Personal data

Personal data of residents, secrets and other confidential documents, and services of the municipality of Utrecht are stored or used by American tech companies. "These are thus insightful and influenceable by the U.S. government," Paalman and Ait Daoua stress.

European and Dutch alternatives

The motion lists a number of measures. First, the announced cloud strategy should include a risk analysis of the current reliance on U.S. providers. Municipal data and starting points for data use in the public cloud should be categorized. Policy frameworks should also be formulated to structurally utilize European and Dutch alternatives. Furthermore, partnerships should be sought. If this fails, the Utrecht municipality should start this project itself.

Click here for the motion.