Microsoft has vowed to resist any US government order to shut down data centres in Europe, seeking to reassure European customers worried that transatlantic tensions could cause service disruptions.
Company President Brad Smith noted that this is not something that officials in Washington are talking about, but it is a “real problem” for Microsoft customers across the continent, including government agencies.
President Donald Trump has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Europe with his tariff-driven trade war and alarmed European leaders with policy changes, including a suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine, that call into question his administration's commitment to transatlantic ties.
At an event in Brussels, Mr Smith sought to allay fears by announcing an expansion of data centre operations in Europe.
“We want Europeans to know that they can count on us,” he said in his speech.
“If, in the unlikely event, any government anywhere in the world ever orders us to suspend or cease cloud operations in Europe, we commit that Microsoft will immediately and vigorously challenge such an order using all available legal means, including legal action,” Mr. Smith wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.
He stressed that Microsoft has experience in confronting lawsuits from both the previous Trump administration and the administration of former President Barack Obama.
“If we ever lose, we will take steps to ensure business continuity,” including storing computer code in Switzerland that could be accessed by European partners, he said.
Microsoft is making five digital commitments in Europe, including increasing the capacity of its data centres by 40 in 16 countries over the next two years, Mr Smith said.
The expansion will cost tens of billions of dollars each year.
Mr Smith was reluctant to give a more precise figure when asked by reporters.
The expansion comes amid calls for Europe to assert its independence in technology and information technology, away from its reliance on major US cloud providers such as Microsoft, Amazon and, to a lesser extent, Google.
“Given recent geopolitical instability, we understand that European governments will likely be considering additional options,” and Microsoft intends to work with European companies, Mr. Smith said.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
