Why a Data Center in Europe Alone Isn't Enough
A cloud data center in Europe doesn't automatically protect against access by foreign authorities – what matters is where the provider is headquartered.
A server in Frankfurt, a company headquartered in the US – and suddenly the data falls under American law after all. That's exactly the misconception Alexander Windbichler, Anexia Group CEO, wants to clear up when he talks about digital sovereignty.
Sanctions against Europe that could bring the economy to a standstill: for many companies and governments, that sounds abstract. For Windbichler, it's a real risk – as long as digital sovereignty isn't a priority on the IT agenda.
In an interview with ITWelt.at, he ranks the topic among the most important IT issues of the coming years – driven by the rapid rollout of AI applications, which further deepens dependence on non-European infrastructure. At the EU level too, the issue is gaining weight, as securing Europe's long-term sovereignty is increasingly seen as a political necessity.
Server location is not the same as jurisdiction
His core point addresses a common misunderstanding: many companies assume that a European server location automatically guarantees legal protection. Windbichler disagrees – what matters isn't where the hardware physically sits, but which country the cloud provider is headquartered in. That corporate headquarters is what determines which legal jurisdiction the data ultimately falls under. Political tensions or sanctions could therefore still affect companies whose data is formally stored in Europe.
How to identify a trustworthy European cloud provider
Anyone currently compiling a list of European cloud providers, or searching for an AWS alternative in Europe, should ask this question first: where is the provider's company headquarters – not just its data center? A cloud provider without the CLOUD Act differs from a merely European-marketed offering precisely on this point.
More debate, not less
Windbichler's conclusion: the topic needs more public debate, not less. Too often, the discussion gets dismissed as a step backward for digitalization – when in fact it's the very foundation on which digital sovereignty can be built at all.
Original text can be read in German in ITWelt.at
Cloud Infrastructure by Anexia
Anexia offers a global cloud solution developed and secured in Europe, ensuring digital sovereignty. Its infrastructure is globally connected while meeting strict European data protection standards, giving customers robust data control and transparency. With more than 100 server locations worldwide – including data centers in Austria – Anexia, an Austrian technology company, is a trustworthy cloud provider and a European alternative to hyperscalers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Anexia is not subject to the CLOUD Act.
