TL;DR
- Microsoft admits it cannot guarantee data sovereignty for its customers in France and the EU.
- The admission stems from the US CLOUD Act, which allows US authorities to compel US companies to provide data regardless of where it is stored.
- This raises concerns about the security and privacy of data stored with US-based cloud providers.
Microsoft has recently admitted that it cannot guarantee data sovereignty for its customers in France and the EU. This admission has significant implications for the security and privacy of data stored with US-based cloud providers. According to WinBuzzer, Microsoft’s director of public and legal affairs in France, Anton Carniaux, stated under oath during a hearing before the French Senate committee that the company cannot guarantee that data stored on its servers will not be accessed by US authorities.
Introduction to Data Sovereignty
Data sovereignty refers to the idea that data is subject to the laws and regulations of the country or region where it is stored. In the EU, data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provide strict guidelines for the handling and storage of personal data. However, as Cloudflare notes, the concept of data sovereignty is complex and can be affected by various factors, including the use of cloud services provided by US-based companies.
The CLOUD Act and Its Implications
The US CLOUD Act, which was passed in 2018, allows US authorities to compel US companies to provide data regardless of where it is stored. This means that even if data is stored on servers located in the EU, US authorities can still access it if they have a valid warrant or subpoena. As heise online reports, this has significant implications for the security and privacy of data stored with US-based cloud providers.
Microsoft’s Admission and Its Implications
Microsoft’s admission that it cannot guarantee data sovereignty for its customers in France and the EU is a significant concern for businesses and individuals who store data with the company. As IT Reseller Magazine notes, this raises questions about the security and privacy of data stored with US-based cloud providers and highlights the need for alternative solutions that can provide true data sovereignty. Some experts recommend using European-based cloud providers or implementing additional security measures, such as data encryption and secure authentication protocols.
The European Union has implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to protect the personal data of its citizens. However, the Cloud Act and other US laws may undermine these efforts and create conflicts between US and EU data protection regulations. Experts warn that this could lead to a “data protection gap” between the US and EU, with significant implications for global data flows and digital trade.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft’s admission that it cannot guarantee data sovereignty for its customers in France and the EU is a significant concern for businesses and individuals who store data with the company. The implications of the US CLOUD Act and the need for alternative solutions that can provide true data sovereignty are critical considerations for anyone looking to store data securely and privately. As PPC Land reports, the French Senate is taking steps to address these concerns and ensure that data stored with US-based cloud providers is protected from access by US authorities.
References
[^1]: Markus Kasanmascheff (July 25, 2025). “Microsoft Admits It Cannot Guarantee EU Cloud Data Sovereignty from US Government“. WinBuzzer. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
[^2]: Alexander Rudolph (July 21, 2025). “Microsoft Admits: US Law Supersedes Canadian Sovereignty“. Cyber in Context. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
[^3]: Ed Holden (July 22, 2025). “What Microsoft’s testimony really means for UK data control – Expert commentary</a)”. IT Reseller Magazine. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
[^4]: Moritz Förster (July 21, 2025). “Not sovereign: Microsoft cannot guarantee the security of EU data“. heise online. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
[^5]: Moritz Förster (July 21, 2025). “Microsoft’s sovereignty debacle: Between “flowery advertising” and “no panic”“. heise online. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
