On December 12, 2025, The Hague became the stage for a far-reaching decision. The Netherlands formally launched the Digital Commons EDIC, a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium that already brings together nine EU member states. At almost the same moment, the Dutch government published its Vision for Digital Autonomy and Sovereignty of Government. Taken together, these two moves mark a turning point in how Europe approaches technology, authority, and responsibility in the digital domain. The DC EDIC brings together France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, and it is now supported by a growing group of candidate Members (Luxembourg, Slovenia) and observers (Poland and Belgium).
This was a clear statement of intent. European governments have begun to accept a reality long discussed in policy circles yet rarely addressed with conviction: dependence on external technology providers for core public functions is no longer a neutral choice. It is a strategic exposure.
5 Key Takeaways
- Europe Moves From Dependence to Choice: The launch of Digital Commons EDIC, alongside the Dutch Vision for Digital Autonomy, signals a deliberate shift in European governments’ approach to technology. Dependency on foreign vendors for critical government functions is now recognized as a strategic risk, and authority over key decisions is being prioritized.
- Collaboration Without Losing Control: EDIC allows multiple EU member states to jointly develop and operate digital infrastructure while keeping sovereignty intact. Pooling resources for AI, cloud, cybersecurity, office tools, and social platforms ensures efficiency without surrendering operational authority.
- Communication Infrastructure Is Critical: Governments now recognize that messaging, file sharing, and collaboration tools are as essential as tax or healthcare systems. Sovereign control over these platforms is necessary to prevent legal exposure, operational vulnerability, and dependence on foreign jurisdictions.
- Deployment Choices Define Sovereignty: Digital sovereignty depends on understanding where data resides and who controls it. On-premises and air-gapped systems provide the highest levels of control for sensitive functions, while regional cloud options offer a balance of accessibility and authority.
- Execution Over Rhetoric: Moving from policy vision to operational reality requires credible technology, governance discipline, and long-term commitment. The EDIC initiative demonstrates that Europe is acting decisively to integrate sovereignty into the architecture of its critical digital infrastructure.
From Dependency to Deliberate Choice
From tax administration to healthcare systems, from internal coordination to citizen services, governments now rely on a narrow group of vendors operating under foreign jurisdictions. When systems fail, when cyber incidents occur, or when political pressure escalates, those dependencies stop being abstract. They become operational risks. The Dutch vision document speaks directly to this issue and does so without dramatic language. Control, choice, and accountability sit at the center of the argument.
State Secretary Van Marum summarized it with unusual clarity. The aim is not isolation. It is the ability to choose, to keep authority over key decisions, and to remain open where possible while protective where required. That tone matters. It signals maturity rather than alarm.
Why the Digital Commons EDIC Changes the Equation
The Digital Commons EDIC gives this thinking a practical structure. It allows several countries to jointly develop and operate shared digital infrastructure in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud services, cybersecurity, office tools, and social platforms. The Netherlands, acting as chair, has positioned EDIC as a shared investment vehicle rather than a symbolic alliance. In plain terms, this means pooling resources to reduce dependence while keeping control within European legal and political boundaries.
This approach fits squarely within the broader goals of the European Digital Decade, yet it goes further by focusing on execution. Digital sovereignty here is treated as an operational requirement.
Digital Sovereignty Moves From Theory to Infrastructure
One aspect of this shift deserves more attention than it usually receives: communication infrastructure. Data centers and cloud services often dominate the discussion, but communication platforms sit at the heart of daily government work. Policy drafting, inter-agency coordination, crisis response, and diplomatic exchanges all depend on messaging, file sharing, and collaboration tools. These systems carry sensitive data by default. They also shape how decisions move through public institutions.
Communication Platforms: The Overlooked Weak Point
When those tools run on platforms controlled by third parties in distant jurisdictions, governments surrender more than convenience. They accept legal exposure, limited visibility, and restricted room for maneuver. Foreign laws may apply and access requests may occur outside domestic oversight. Service availability may depend on decisions taken far from national interest.
The inclusion of social networks and office automation within the Digital Commons EDIC scope shows that European policymakers have grasped this reality. Communication tools are no longer peripheral software. They function as critical infrastructure.
Digital Commons EDIC: What Sovereign Communication Really Means
Digital sovereignty, however, remains a practical matter. It starts with clarity about data location, access rights, and operational control. Deployment models matter. Cloud-based software delivered entirely under vendor control offers speed but little authority. Regional cloud deployments provide more comfort, especially when hosted within national borders and governed by local law.
Still, for highly sensitive functions, governments increasingly return to on-premises deployments. Infrastructure hosted within state-owned facilities offers direct oversight and legal certainty.
Why On-Premises and Air-Gapped Systems Still Matter
In the most sensitive cases, air-gapped systems, physically isolated from external networks, remove entire categories of risk. You may see them as a relic of the past, they are deliberate choices aligned with mission-critical requirements.
The challenge lies in combining modern usability with strict control. Public servants expect real-time messaging, document collaboration, video meetings, and system integrations. Sovereignty does not mean abandoning contemporary work practices. It means selecting technology that can operate under different deployment conditions without sacrificing function.
Digital Commons EDIC: From Policy to Operational Credibility
This is where platforms such as The RegTech enter the conversation. Its growing presence in public sector organizations is not accidental. Our solutions are designed from the outset to support on-premises and isolated installations. Governments retain ownership of their data, define their own access rules, and adapt the system to national compliance demands. Functionality remains intact, while authority stays local.
From our perspective, and work across jurisdictions with varying regulatory maturity, this development in Europe feels overdue and encouraging. Digital and data sovereignty cannot be retrofitted once dependency becomes entrenched. It must be part of early architectural decisions. The Dutch approach, paired with Digital Commons EDIC, shows that Europe has moved from discussion to direction.
What the Dutch Approach Gets Right
What stands out is the refusal to chase extremes. The message is not “build everything alone” or “close the doors.” Instead, it is about informed choice. Governments decide which systems tolerate shared dependency and which demand full control. That distinction reflects operational realism rather than ideology.
Moving from policy to practice will test this vision. Joint infrastructure requires governance discipline, long-term funding, and technical credibility. It also requires partners who understand public accountability, not just commercial delivery. Early signals look promising. EDIC has attracted a diverse group of member states, and the scope of cooperation reflects real operational needs.
Globally, similar reassessments are under way. Governments outside Europe face the same pressures, often with fewer resources and weaker bargaining power. For them, the European experience may serve as a reference point. Sovereignty does not require isolation, but it does require intent, legal clarity, and technical options that keep authority within reach.
We are here to help governments, financial institutions, and businesses to effectively comply with growing regulatory requirements through technology.
