In the wake of Donald Trump's second presidency, there is a growing movement in Europe towards 'digital sovereignty,' as citizens express concerns over the influence of U.S. tech firms on privacy and politics.

Experts like Maria Farrell highlight that this emerging concept reflects a broader wariness among Europeans about relying on American technology for their digital needs.

This trend is evident as many Europeans are increasingly turning away from American tech giants in favor of local alternatives, largely due to disapproval of U.S. policies.

Data from Similarweb indicates a rising interest in European-based email, messaging, and search services, with Ecosia, a Berlin-based search engine, reporting a 27% year-on-year increase in queries from the EU.

European governments, including Germany, are actively seeking to reduce reliance on U.S. technology by promoting open-source software and local cloud services in public administration.

In Berlin, the charity Topio has seen increased demand for services that help individuals disengage from U.S. tech influence, reflecting a shift in consumer awareness towards political concerns.

Concerns over U.S. data access laws have heightened fears about privacy among Europeans, as these laws allow government access to data stored by American companies regardless of location.

Recent comments from U.S. officials have further strained transatlantic relations, accusing European leaders of censorship and threatening visa bans for regulating U.S. tech firms.

Digital rights activists express skepticism about the effectiveness of European resistance against Silicon Valley, noting the entrenched market positions of U.S. companies.

Despite efforts to promote local alternatives, experts caution that completely severing ties with U.S. tech is impractical due to the pervasive nature of American technology in everyday life.

The article concludes with concerns that while there is a movement towards European alternatives, regulatory measures may be necessary for meaningful change against the dominance of Silicon Valley.

Ecosia, a non-profit search engine that uses profits to fund environmental projects, reported 122 million visits from the EU in February, compared to Google's 10.3 billion, highlighting the significant dominance of U.S. tech firms.