Google (GOOG, Financial) is stepping up its game in Europe—rolling out a fortified “sovereign data shield” and doubling down on local partnerships to keep EU clients from jumping ship. The move isn't just about privacy—it's about politics. As fears grow that a Trump return could trigger digital power plays in transatlantic trade talks, European companies are suddenly treating cloud independence like a survival issue, not a luxury.
At the center of Google's new pitch: keeping sensitive customer data stored, processed, and protected inside EU borders. That includes “air-gapped” setups for defense and intelligence customers, plus tighter integrations with firms like France's Thales. “Sovereignty used to be niche,” said Hayete Gallot, Google's president of customer experience. “Now everybody's thinking about it.” And they're not wrong. US tech still dominates the EU cloud stack, and in a world where digital infrastructure could become a bargaining chip, local control matters more than ever.
This shift follows Microsoft's earlier “digital sovereignty” promises, including legal resistance to any forced shutdowns from Washington. Google isn't going that far publicly—but it's reading the room. From its new EU cloud boundaries to added cybersecurity layers, Google's quietly building a firewall not just for data, but for trust. And with geopolitical heat rising, trust could be the most valuable cloud asset of all.
