Amazon rolls out ‘sovereign’ EU-based cloud to address data privacy concerns

Amazon’s AWS has introduced a new and independent Europe-based cloud service, aiming to address the growing privacy concerns and boost users data security.

According to the world’s largest cloud provider, the newly launched AWS European Sovereign Cloud’s data centres would operate physically and legally separate from the US-based companies’ servers and American jurisdiction, as reported by Reuters.

As revealed by AWS Germany Chief Technology Officer Michael Hanisch, the sovereign cloud service would allow the smooth operations if the EU were disconnected from the internet or the United States imposed a ban on software exports.

AWS’ first data centre is currently under construction in the German state of Brandenburg.

More data centres would be built in the near future in Germany and other European countries with the investment of more than 7.8 billion euros.

According to Hanisch, the cloud service will be guarded with more controls, robust legal measures, and sovereignty assurances. The cloud will also align with European government and business requirements for processing sensitive information.

When it comes to operational management, the service will be monitored by a German company staffed with EU citizenship holding people.

Core motive: US Law vs EU privacy

At the heart of the recent move lies the US legislation titled “Cloud Act”, allowing the American authorities to demand data from US-based providers, even if data is stored abroad.

Owing to these legal backdoors, the EU users are looking for alternatives to protect their data and privacy.

Two significant US cloud providers are also striving to meet European security standards.

Microsoft has offered to store the EU customers’ data within European data centers. Google, last year announced the investments of 5.5 billion euros in German data centres.