- 74% of Britons are concerned about Europe’s dependence on American apps and services
- 57% say they would turn to European alternatives when possible
- Misconceptions about privacy persist, says Proton
As geopolitical tensions between the United States and Europe dominate headlines, Britons are increasingly wary of their reliance on Silicon Valley. Trust in U.S.-based tech giants is eroding, paving the way for a move toward “digital sovereignty,” according to a study released today by Swiss privacy firm Proton.
The survey of 1,000 respondents in the UK found that 76% had been following recent political and economic friction between the two regions. For 55% of these observers, the news cycle directly increased their preference for software made in Europe over their American counterparts.
This is not just a theoretical concern. Data shows that 74% of Brits think Europe is too reliant on US apps, and an equal percentage are concerned. With data privacy often legally separate between the US and UK/EU, users are realizing that where their data is is just as important as what’s in it.
Raphael Auphan, director of operations at Proton, the provider behind one of the best VPN and secure messaging services, believes the study highlights “a tipping point.”
He said: “Recent geopolitical developments undermine trust in US-based platforms and reinforce the perception that European solutions are needed to ensure digital autonomy and data protection. »
The “privacy paradox”
Despite this growing skepticism, the survey highlights a dangerous gap between user perception and technical reality.
While 92% of respondents cited “hack security” and 88% cited “privacy” as their top priorities when choosing an app, many are unaware of how their current tools work.
Strikingly, 57% of respondents incorrectly consider Gmail to be “very private” or “somewhat private.” This mismatch is concerning, given that ad-supported platforms often rely on data analytics to function, while services like Proton Mail use end-to-end encryption to ensure that even the service provider cannot access the content of communications.
If the appetite for change is high, why haven’t more people jumped ship? The biggest obstacle is simply knowing where to go. The study found that 67% of respondents had not heard of European alternatives to common applications such as email services and cloud storage.
Convenience also plays a major role. 40% of users admit they are simply “too used” to their current services, while 24% worry the change will take too long.
However, the incentives for change are becoming clearer. Respondents noted that stronger data protection (55%) and greater trust in data processing (52%) were the main benefits that led them to turn to European technology.
Best European alternatives to American technology
If you’re part of the 57% who want to change but don’t know where to start, there is a strong ecosystem of privacy-focused tools built in Europe.
The most direct competitor in the Google ecosystem is Proton itself. With Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and Proton VPN, you get Swiss-based, strictly log-free, end-to-end encrypted security. For those who need secure messaging with a focus on ease of use, Germany-based Tuta is another great encrypted option.
To escape Chrome tracking, check out Mullvad Browser. Developed in collaboration with the Tor Project by the Swedish VPN company, it is designed to minimize tracking and fingerprinting. Icelandic browser Vivaldi also offers deep customization without the invasive privacy practices of American tech giants.
Even artificial intelligence has European competitors. Proton recently launched a new privacy-focused AI chatbot, offering a secure alternative to ChatGPT.
For a broader overview of what’s available, the European Alternatives directory tracks compliant software across the continent.
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