EU tech chief sounds alarm over dependence on foreign tech

January 27, 2026 - 21:15

A senior European Union official has issued a stark warning about the bloc's dependence on technology from outside its borders, stating that such reliance carries significant geopolitical risks. Henna Virkkunen, a European Commissioner, emphasized that this dependency "can be weaponized against us," highlighting vulnerabilities in critical sectors.

The comments underscore growing concerns within EU institutions about strategic autonomy. Over-reliance on foreign hardware, software, and digital infrastructure is seen as a potential threat to economic stability and security. Officials fear that key technologies could be disrupted or leveraged for political pressure during international disputes or crises.

This alert signals a continued push for the EU to bolster its own technological capabilities and innovation base. Policies are increasingly focused on fostering home-grown champions in fields like semiconductors, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to reduce critical dependencies and ensure the union controls its own digital destiny.

The call for action reflects a broader global shift where technology is firmly at the center of geopolitical strategy. For the EU, achieving digital sovereignty is now considered inseparable from ensuring its long-term resilience and capacity to act independently on the world stage. The coming years are expected to see further investment and regulatory measures aimed at strengthening Europe's tech ecosystem.