TL;DR
- Microsoft announces new European datacenters and a pledge to follow EU laws
- The company commits to expanding its European datacenter capacity by 40% over the next two years
- Microsoft promises to uphold Europe’s digital resilience and protect European data from unauthorized access
Microsoft has announced its commitment to protect its European operations from any potential orders by the US government to suspend or cease operations. The company’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, stated that Microsoft will contest any such orders in court and has a track record of doing so. This move is seen as a response to concerns from European customers and governments about the potential impact of US trade policies on European businesses.
40% more datacenter capacity until 2027
The announcement comes as part of Microsoft’s European digital commitments, which include a pledge to expand its datacenter capacity in Europe by 40% over the next two years. The company plans to increase its datacenter operations in 16 European countries, doubling its European datacenter capacity between 2023 and 2027. This expansion will enable Microsoft to operate over 200 datacenters across the continent, providing a broad range of cloud services to European customers.
Commitment to uphold digital resilience
Microsoft has also committed to upholding Europe’s digital resilience, even in times of geopolitical volatility. The company has created a European cloud for Europe, which will be managed by European companies under European law. Additionally, Microsoft has announced a digital resilience commitment, which includes a pledge to contest any orders to suspend or cease operations in Europe. The company has a demonstrated history of pursuing litigation to protect its customers’ rights and has gone to court against the US government on several occasions.
The company’s commitment to protecting European data from unauthorized access is also a key part of its European digital commitments. Microsoft has implemented a range of measures to ensure the privacy and security of European data, including its EU Data Boundary project. This project provides European customers with the ability to store and process their data in Europe, and Microsoft has added additional security features to its Azure platform to give customers control over their data.
In a statement, Smith said, “We understand that our business relies on the trust of our customers, and without that, it starts to decline and dissipate.” He added that Microsoft is committed to providing digital stability in a time of geopolitical volatility and will work to build a European cloud that is designed to serve Europe.
The announcement has been welcomed by European leaders, who see it as a positive step towards strengthening the continent’s digital infrastructure. However, some have raised concerns about the potential impact of US trade policies on European businesses and the need for greater cooperation between the US and Europe on digital issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft’s commitment to protecting its European operations from potential US government orders is a significant development in the company’s efforts to build trust with its European customers. The expansion of its datacenter capacity in Europe and its pledge to uphold digital resilience are key parts of this effort. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further developments in this area, with implications for businesses and governments on both sides of the Atlantic.
References
[^1]: Pieter Haeck (2025-04-30). “Microsoft pitches European data center expansion amid tense transatlantic tech ties“. Politico.
[^2]: Dan Robinson (2025-04-30). “Microsoft gets twitchy over talk of Europe’s tech independence“. The Register.
[^3]: Brad Smith (2025-04-30). “European digital commitments“. Microsoft.
[^4]: Microsoft (2025-04-24). “International availability of Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty“. Microsoft Learn.
