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

Background

This EESC 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.

The EU is critically dependent on digital infrastructures such as cloud services, semiconductor production, operating systems, platform economies and, increasingly, AI services and key technologies. 

These infrastructures are mainly controlled by US and Asian corporations, which 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. 

Key points

The EESC:

• calls for a cross-sectoral EU digital sovereignty strategy to reduce critical dependencies on non-EU cloud, AI and platform providers, while strengthening data protection, interoperability and the ability to switch providers;
• urges the EU and Member States to invest in “Made in the EU” digital infrastructure and prioritise open-source solutions and European alternatives through “EU first” and “comply or explain” public procurement principles;
• stresses that digital sovereignty must protect democracy and workers’ rights, ensuring transparency and democratic control over AI and algorithms, meaningful social dialogue, skills development and fair sharing of productivity gains.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/878

Opinion type: Own initiative

Rapporteur: Thomas Kattnig (Group II - Austria)

Date of adoption by section: 6 October 2026

Result of the vote: 79 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 21-22 October 2026

Result of the vote: XXX in favour, X against, X abstentions

Contact

Marco Pezzani

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu

Konstantina Angelopoulou

Administrator

Tel.: +32 546 9747

E-mail:  konstantina.angelopoulou@eesc.europa.eu