Fact Check: "Europe faces a serious risk of losing access to critical technology."
What We Know
The claim that Europe is at risk of losing access to critical technology is supported by findings from the 2025 State of the Digital Decade package. This report highlights the European Union's (EU) ongoing digital transformation efforts and identifies significant challenges, including persistent dependencies on external providers for essential technologies such as semiconductors, cloud services, and cybersecurity solutions. The report emphasizes that these dependencies threaten the EU's economic security and technological sovereignty.
Moreover, the report indicates that while progress has been made in areas like the digitalization of public services and the deployment of advanced connectivity infrastructure, critical gaps remain. For instance, the EU's reliance on external suppliers for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud services is particularly concerning, as these technologies are crucial for public service delivery and overall competitiveness in the digital economy.
Additionally, a report from Recorded Future warns that Russian hybrid threats are likely to escalate around the 2025 NATO Summit, specifically targeting European critical infrastructure. This includes potential sabotage of submarine cables and other vital systems, which could further compromise Europe's access to critical technologies (Recorded Future).
Analysis
The evidence presented in the 2025 State of the Digital Decade report is credible and comes from a reputable source—the European Commission. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the EU's digital landscape, outlining both achievements and ongoing challenges. It is well-documented and reflects the EU's strategic priorities regarding digital transformation and sovereignty.
On the other hand, the Recorded Future report, while also credible, focuses on the geopolitical risks posed by external threats, particularly from Russia. This source highlights the vulnerabilities of European critical infrastructure to hybrid warfare tactics, which could indeed impact access to technology. The concern about sabotage and cyber threats is particularly relevant given the current geopolitical climate and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both sources underscore the multifaceted nature of the risks facing Europe regarding critical technology. The EU's internal challenges, such as dependency on non-EU technology providers, coupled with external threats from geopolitical adversaries, create a precarious situation for the continent's technological future.
Conclusion
The claim that Europe faces a serious risk of losing access to critical technology is True. The evidence from the 2025 State of the Digital Decade report clearly outlines the EU's vulnerabilities related to technological dependencies and highlights the need for renewed action to enhance technological sovereignty. Furthermore, the potential escalation of hybrid threats, as noted by Recorded Future, adds another layer of risk that could further jeopardize Europe's access to essential technologies.
