Latest news with #digitalsovereignty
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Microsoft Can't Keep EU Data Safe From US Authorities
The French Senate (Photo by Samir Hussein - Pool/WireImage) Microsoft has admitted that it can't protect EU data from U.S. snooping. In sworn testimony before a French Senate inquiry into the role of public procurement in promoting digital sovereignty, Anton Carniaux, Microsoft France's director of public and legal affairs, was asked whether he could guarantee that French citizen data would never be transmitted to U.S. authorities without explicit French authorization. And, he replied, "No, I cannot guarantee it." He said that the company resisted requests from the US authorities "when they are not well-founded", but that under the U.S. Cloud Act, U.S. companies can be forced to hand over data, regardless of where it is stored. Carniaux did say that the situation had never arisen. However, the admission raises serious concerns around European data sovereignty. 'Microsoft has openly admitted what many have long known: under laws like the Cloud Act, US authorities can compel access to data held by American cloud providers, regardless of where that data physically resides. UK or EU servers make no difference when jurisdiction lies elsewhere, and local subsidiaries or 'trusted' partnerships don't change that reality," commented Mark Boost, CEO of cloud provider Civo. 'This is more than a technicality. It is a real-world issue that can impact national security, personal privacy and business competitiveness." The inquiry centers around Project Bleu - a partnership between Microsoft, Orange and Capgemini. There were concerns about the Health Data Hub medical research platform, which is hosted on Microsoft Azure. Senate members said they couldn't be sure that the two platforms were sufficiently separated, and that sensitive health data wouldn't be shared. Carniaux's admission will increase concerns that the EU can't afford to be reliant on the big U.S. cloud providers such as Microsoft and AWS - even when they claim to be offering sovereign cloud services. 'The French Senate has set a precedent by demanding answers, and the UK and Europe have an opportunity to do the same," said Boost. "We're already seeing a shift towards building homegrown solutions that support true data sovereignty rather than data residency." However, a recent European Parliament report found that U.S. firms account for 69% of the cloud infrastructure market share in Europe, while EU suppliers hold only 13%.
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Renewable energy to power 500mw data centre in Morocco
Morocco plans to build a 500 megawatt data centre powered by renewable energy to strengthen the security of data storage, its digital transition minister said. The centre will be located in Dakhla, in Western Sahara, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni told Reuters, without giving details on the timeline or cost. Several countries are building such centres to ensure that sensitive data can be stored and processed within national borders. These centres can be owned or operated by state-owned or private companies while ensuring that data remains under the legal jurisdiction of the host country. Morocco launched its first such centre at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. It has been offering cloud hosting services to local public and private organisations since January. "Through this network of data centres, the kingdom not only asserts its digital sovereignty, but also its ambition to become a regional digital hub serving Africa,' Seghrouchni said. Morocco plans to invest 11 billion dirhams ($1.22 billion) on its digital modernisation strategy over 2024-2026, which includes artificial intelligence and expanding fibre optic deployment. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Digital sovereignty key' amid growing AI investment, geopolitical tensions
The need for countries to ensure digital sovereignty with control over infrastructure, data and systems is critical as the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race accelerates amid geopolitical instability, a new report has outlined. The seventh edition of GlobalData's AI Executive Briefing notes that such control, without influence from foreign entities, has become increasingly important due to the need to protect against extraterritorial laws that may compromise data sovereignty. 'With the rapid development and adoption of AI, it has become even more crucial since sensitive data may need to be processed for training AI models,' it adds. The report also stresses the needs to consider operational sovereignty, by which visibility and control over operations through trusted personnel and entities is maintained, and technical sovereignty, through which applications can be run without being overly dependent on foreign suppliers. It suggests that open-source applications can play a crucial role in the latter. 'The increased emphasis on digital sovereignty has created opportunities for domestic IT services providers and telecom operators that already have strong relationships with the public sector and major enterprises in their respective markets,' the report states. Of the three pillars constituting digital sovereignty, data protection is detailed as the imposition and enforcement of local and regional compliance laws and protection against foreign surveillance and interference. Operational sovereignty is said to constitute visibility of data residency, security and access controls; autonomous control of digital infrastructure; investment in local resources and talent; and interoperability between domestic digital services. Technical sovereignty comprises the use of home-grown application software, the encouragement of open-source standards and technologies to reduce dependency on single vendors and investment in education and training programmes to foster domestic technical skills. GlobalData's briefing summarises: 'AI and digital tools are supported by masses of data, which must be kept secure and out of reach of both individual bad actors and foreign intervention. Large investments in sovereign cloud infrastructure are being made to ensure that data is properly secured and managed by local data laws.' "'Digital sovereignty key' amid growing AI investment, geopolitical tensions" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Abidjan's SICA Positions as a Lynchpin Event for African Film, TV
A bourgeoning film-TV market, the International Salon for Audiovisual Content (SICA), is set to return June 26-28 for its third edition in Abidjan, positioning itself as a lynchpin for Africa's film and television industry. This year's edition, moreover, is more ambitious than ever. Unfurling under the banner of Digital Sovereignty and Exporting Our Stories: Building a Competitive and Globalized African Audiovisual Market, SICA, the International Salon for Audiovisual Content will focus on strengthening the continent's digital footprint while boosting the global reach of its talent and content. More from Variety Alex Berger, Larry Kasanoff, Shuzo John Shiota Set to Talk at Abidjan's SICA as It Debates African AI, Shooting in Abidjan, Building a Globalized Market TF1 Group Boss Rodolphe Belmer on the French Network's Landmark Deal With Netflix and What's Next for Its AVOD Service Japanese Manga Adaptation 'Bet' Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix Following Global Top 10 Success 'SICA 2025 is all about consolidating Africa's digital sovereignty and fostering a structured export of its stories,' SICA General Commissioner, Oumar Konaté, tells Variety. 'We want to reaffirm our capacity to produce, distribute, and create value for our own content on our own platforms, and at the same time give this content the international visibility it deserves.' That strategy is reflected across this year's program. It features an opening panel with ministers from key sectors, including culture, youth, tourism, and digital economy. In Konaté's words, the program is 'a concrete response to the transversality of these issues with panels, co-production labs, and workshops on regulation, rights, AI, and sovereign data.' SICA 2025 also brings new initiatives. The SICA Business Hub will offer direct financial support to promising projects; a SICA d'Or, which will recognize excellence across local DTT channels; and a SICA Off initiative to take screenings directly to four districts of Abidjan – Yopougon, Abobo, Cocody, and Koumassi – democratizing the forum by making it accessible to local audiences. In a promotional video on SICA's website, Konaté has further detailed these innovations. 'This year, we want participants to better appreciate the content,' he says. 'That's why we've decided to reduce the number of panels and focus on quality.' The SICA Business Hub is also designed to go beyond concept-stage pitches. 'Here,' he explains, 'young creators can come present pilots and seek potential funding partners.' Konaté explained that the aim of the Business Hub, above all, is 'to remove the financial barriers that often keep African stories trapped at the concept stage. By helping creators produce professional-grade pilots or teasers, we increase their chance of landing serious international partners.' As for the SICA d'Or, Konaté calls it 'an opportunity for both the public and professionals to appreciate content already airing on DTT and recognize what's making an impact. Abel N'Guessan Kouame, CEO of animation studio AfrikaToon and a SICA participant, echoes those sentiments to Variety, saying 'African people need local stories.' He adds, 'In order for a production to be really successful it has to be local. For example, you have 'Squid Game' in Korea, in Europe, 'Money Heist.' You see that local content is very successful and can be spread around the world.' It's this commitment to authenticity that SICA aims to cultivate across its screenings and workshops. With SICA OFF, the salon is keeping its focus local, with plans to host free screenings and industry workshops to engage grassroots talent and audiences. 'This is a territorial approach,' Konaté explains. 'We want to inspire future creators and show that our stories come from every corner of our cities, not just the privileged areas.' Konaté teased the African premiere at SICA of 'Le Grand Déplacement' ('Black to the Future') from French actor-director Jean Pascal Zadi and shot in Ivory Coast as a highlight of the three-day event. The salon's closing day will include a new emphasis on Ivory Coast as an attractive filming destination. 'This year, we decided to add a more scientific touch, showcasing Ivory Coast's appeal as a filming location through a dedicated panel with the Tourism and Culture Ministries,' Konate emphasized. This is all in service of SICA's core goals, which Konaté spelled out clearly to Variety. 'We want to accelerate the integration of the African audiovisual market with the cooperation of government bodies and industry leaders,' he said. 'That means creating real, actionable financing and co-production opportunities and positioning Abidjan and Ivory Coast as a true hub for the continent.' That commitment is reflected not only in SICA's focus on co-productions and industry partnerships––drawing in regional players like Cinékita, Studio KÄ, Orun, Loqui-la-Technologie, RTI, NCI, Life TV, SABC, and more, but also in its global outlook. SICA expects to welcome 700 accredited delegates, up from 400 last year, with a 40% increase in international guests. With over 100 international buyers and co-producers expected from across Africa, Europe, Asia, the U.S., and the Middle East, SICA aims to act as a catalyst for international interest and South-South alliances for years to come. Heavyweights like Showmax, Canal+ Afrique and Netflix will also participate in pitch sessions, co-production forums, and keynotes, signalling robust international interest. The opening day at SICA will feature an inaugural conference on the theme of Digital Sovereignty and Story Export of Stories: Building a Competitive Globalized African Audiovisual Market, featuring American producer Larry Kasanoff, founder of Threshold Entertainment and executive producer of the 'Mortal Kombat' franchise. There will also be keynote talks from Japan's Shuzo John Shiota, CEO of Japan's Polygon Pictures, and American-French producer Alex Berger of 'The Bureau' and 'La Maison' fame. SICA's three-day conference strand will host panels on topics like AI and Audiovisual Creation: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa and African Diaspora: Diversity and the Promotion of Storytelling. Panels on subjects like Distribution and Export Strategies for African Audiovisual Content and Building Impactful Branding Around African Stories are also on the menu. As Konaté concluded, SICA's role is both cultural and industrial: 'In five years, we want SICA to be one of the most important markets for African content, a true hub that reinforces the ecosystem locally while projecting African talent globally.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
The Herald
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Putin authorises creation of state messaging app to combat WhatsApp and Telegram
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a law authorising the development of a state-backed messaging app integrated with government services as Moscow strives to reduce its dependence on platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. Russia has long sought to establish what it calls digital sovereignty by promoting home-grown services. Its push to replace foreign tech platforms became more urgent as some Western companies pulled out of the Russian market after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russian lawmakers said the state app will have functionality that Telegram and Meta Platforms' WhatsApp do not. Critics said the fact that Russia will exercise state control over it poses risks to privacy and personal freedoms. Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society, a Russian digital rights group, said earlier this month he expected Russia to slow the speeds of WhatsApp and Telegram to encourage people to switch over to the new app. Reuters
