Overcoming digital dependencies protects workers' rights and data – EU sovereignty in the cloud, AI and the information society as a democratic necessity

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Ongoing (updated on 13/04/2026) - Bureau decision date: 19/02/2026
Reference
TEN/878-EESC
Opinion Type
Own-initiative opinion
Rapporteur
Thomas KATTNIG
Workers - GR II
Austria
Plenary session number
609
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Practical information

  • Composition of the study group
  • Administrator: Konstantina ANGELOPOULOU, Assistant: Maria Grazia RUOCCO
  • TEN section meeting: 05 October 2026
  • EESC plenary session:  21-22 October 2026
  • Contact: E-mail

Background

The European Union is critically dependent on digital infrastructures (cloud services, semiconductor production, operating systems, platform economies and, increasingly, AI services and key technologies) that are predominantly controlled by US and Asian corporations. This dependence jeopardises democratic self-determination, data protection, workers rights, economic resilience and the security of the EU. AI is particularly critical, as control over computing power, data and models will shape productivity, governance, labour markets and security. Digital sovereignty is therefore not a niche technological issue, but a central building block of European democracy, the information society and strategic autonomy. The opinion calls for an integrated EU approach to develop its own infrastructures, ensure democratic governance, protect labour and information rights, address ethical and environmental risks, align data protection with innovation, and anchor digital sovereignty in security and defence policy.