- cross-posted to:
- world@lemmy.world
- technology@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- world@lemmy.world
- technology@lemmy.world
Google has criticized the European Union’s intentions to achieve digital sovereignty through open-source software. The company warned that Brussels’ policies aimed at reducing dependence on American tech companies could harm competitiveness. According to Google, the idea of replacing current tools with open-source programs would not contribute to economic growth.
Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs and chief legal officer, warned of a competitive paradox that Europe is facing. According to the Financial Times, he said that creating regulatory barriers would be harmful in a context of rapid technological advancement. His remarks came just days after the European Commission concluded a public consultation assessing the transition to open-source software.
Google’s chief legal officer clarified that he is not opposed to digital sovereignty, but recommended making use of the “best technologies in the world.” Walker suggested that American companies could collaborate with European firms to implement measures ensuring data protection. Local management or servers located in Europe to store information are among the options.
The EU is preparing a technological sovereignty package aimed at eliminating dependence on third-party software, such as Google’s. After reviewing proposals, it concluded that reliance on external suppliers for critical infrastructure entails economic risks and creates vulnerabilities. The strategy focuses not only on regulation but also on adopting open-source software to achieve digital sovereignty.
According to Google, this change would represent a problem for users. Walker argues that the market moves faster than legislation and warns that regulatory friction will only leave European consumers and businesses behind in what he calls “the most competitive technological transition we have ever seen.” As it did with the DMA and other laws, Google is playing on fear. Kent Walker suggested that this initiative would stifle innovation and deny people access to the “best digital tools.”
The promotion of open-source software aims to break dependence on foreign suppliers, especially during a period of instability caused by the Trump administration. The European Union has highlighted the risks of continuing under this system and proposes that public institutions should have full control over their own technology.
According to a study on the impact of open-source software, the European Commission found that it contributes between €65 billion and €95 billion annually to the European Union’s GDP. The executive body estimates that a 10% increase in contributions to open-source software would generate an additional €100 billion in growth for the bloc’s economy.
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Oh no mah economic growths!
Yeah… I don’t think it will harm economic growth (it’s just Goggle, Microsoft etc who won’t get maintenance and sys admin contracts, plenty of other probably will) . But let’s entertain Google’s point of view: even if we sacrifice a bit of economic growth, at least we’ll not get blackmailed by those who threaten us. Whereas right now? We’re threading very muddy waters.
Ofcourse they would.
“Arresting murderers will not increase community safety”, says murderer
According to Google, the idea of replacing current tools with open-source programs would not contribute to economic growth.
Aside from this being bullshit aimed at protecting their own bottom line, not everything needs to contribute to economic growth.
Also, open source is likely to be cheaper, so in that sense, it will contribute less to growth as less money will be spent.
Also, they fail to mention that all US companies can be forced to obey Washington, even if the servers are in the EU
Agree, but less money spent on open source means more money for other stuff, like defence or social security, so it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t cause economic growth.
It’s the US mentality of “only the wealthy can create jobs and move society”
I’ve gotten rid of almost all Google services except for Gmail, and that’s next on the list.
I mean yea, your dealer wouldn’t condone you going sober, either.
If Google is criticising it, I’m backing it 110%.
reducing dependence on American tech companies could harm competitiveness.
Google over here living in Bizarro world.
Forcing us to be competitive will reduce competitiveness!!
Ummm…
FTFY: Many European citizens are appalled by Googles embrace of a fascist surveillance technocracy. Some are still asleep unfortunately.
Remind me again what Google Android is built on? Oh and what is that operating system underlying the Google Chromebook? 🐧
According to Google, the idea of replacing current tools with open-source programs would not contribute to GOOGLE’S economic growth.
FTFY
Ah, yes, the famous absense of economic growth from open source projects! We all know about the open source failures such as linux which checks notes… powers virtually every data center and super computer in the world. Hm, anyone know if all of todays technological infrastructure contributes to economic growth, or nah?
Not only that, but both ChromeOS and Android run on top of the Linux kernel
And I think youtube is possible thanks to ffmpeg. Alphabet is a search engine, if even that, without open source.
he said that creating regulatory barriers would be harmful in a context of rapid technological advancement.
such as? “One more Datacentre” ain’t it, bro.
Walker suggested that American companies could collaborate with European firms to implement measures ensuring data protection
Could, yeah sure why haven’t you already; what would change?
Local management or servers located in Europe to store information are among the options.
Just like it’s done today? So what would change?
According to Google, this change would represent a problem for users.
laughable
“the most competitive technological transition we have ever seen.”
Uhm yeah sure, one more datacentre to replace humans and deny them income. That’s not a great transition.
deny people access to the “best digital tools.”
If those bilions are put into supporting open source tools, THOSE will be the best digital tools and there is nothing that Google/Adobe/Microslop can do about.
Walker knows that he and Google have no cards and bluffing, creating bogeyman are their only option.
This is a very good sign.
This is basically Google saying that the legislation is efficient.
According to a monopoly more options will harm competitiveness.
Lmao, they even open with that.
