The concept of data sovereignty revolves around the legal control over how data is shared and utilized. Although it may seem straightforward, the application of this concept can vary greatly. How is this concept viewed by the European Union (EU) and VMware after Broadcom’s acquisition of the company?
Following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, there has been significant attention on Hock Tan, Broadcom’s CEO, and his team as they work towards achieving the goals set for the acquisition. Prior to the acquisition, VMware had a clear commitment to enhancing data and cloud sovereignty through its product portfolio strategy aligned with EU sovereignty principles and architecture.
I recently had a conversation with Carme Artigas Brugal, the co-chair of the United Nations AI advisory body and former state secretary for digitalization and AI in Spain. She shed light on the EU’s stance on data and cloud sovereignty.
In the period since the acquisition, Broadcom has been working to simplify VMware’s product portfolio, transitioning to a subscription model and establishing clear go-to-market strategies. While this has been seen as positive progress, concerns have been raised about the impact on VMware’s ecosystem.
The EU views data as a critical asset for the digital economy, leading to the development of laws like GDPR to ensure data protection. The EU aims to create a unified data market to enhance competitiveness and sovereignty.
The EU’s data strategy emphasizes the protection of European citizens’ rights, fostering industrial development, and ensuring that data generated or stored in the EU is governed by EU laws. This includes the creation of Common European Data Spaces for various sectors.
Cloud sovereignty is a key aspect of achieving data sovereignty in the EU. It involves localizing data processing and storage in Europe, aligning with EU regulations like GDPR. Sovereign clouds require strong safeguards and adherence to EU data laws.
Broadcom’s commitment to delivering data and cloud sovereignty aligns with EU goals, providing reassurance to EU-based customers and partners. Effective sovereign clouds support local data processing and backups, ensuring compliance with EU laws.
By embracing EU data regulations, companies like Broadcom can benefit from competitive advantages in the European market. Creating tools and solutions that support data sharing and innovation will be crucial for success in the EU market.