Scepticism comes as Europe looks to promote alternatives to common software applications
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Image: Mikhail Nilov via Pexels
A recent survey in six major EU countries has shown that Europeans have a significant lack of trust in American and Chinese technology companies when it comes to handling personal data.
The poll, carried out by Cluster17 for news outlet Politico and consultancy beBartlet, found that more than 80% of respondents expressed distrust towards both American and Chinese tech firms. More specifically, 84% said they did not trust American companies, while an even higher proportion (93%) voiced concern over whether Chinese companies handle their data responsibly.
The findings come at a time when Europe is actively working to strengthen its own technology sector in various areas, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and telecommunications. The aim is to reduce its dependence on foreign tech giants, particularly those from the United States and China.
Although Europeans show more trust in domestic technology companies, just over half (51%) expressed confidence in their ability to handle personal data responsibly. Interestingly, an even smaller share (45%) said they trusted their national governments with the handling of their information.
The survey also revealed differences in levels of trust between different nationalities within Europe. German respondents turned out to be the most distrustful towards both American and Chinese tech firms: 91% were sceptical of American companies and no fewer than 98% distrusted their Chinese counterparts.
Belgian respondents showed the highest level of trust in European tech companies, with 59% believing that these would handle personal data responsibly. It is important to note that all companies processing Europeans’ data, regardless of where they are based, are required to comply with the EU’s strict privacy rules, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
American and Chinese technology companies, however, face an additional challenge due to domestic security laws in their respective countries, which may compel them to hand over user data to the authorities. This potential vulnerability has raised concerns among European courts and privacy regulators.
Business AM