What exactly is data sovereignty?

Data sovereignty means that an organization or country has complete control over its data – where it is stored, who has access to it, and under which legal conditions. It is a component of digital sovereignty, but focuses specifically on data management and data storage.

Dutch context: For Dutch companies, it is primarily about avoiding dependence on foreign datacenters and cloud providers, keeping sensitive business data within Dutch or European legal frameworks.

Key characteristics of Dutch data sovereignty:

  • Data storage in Dutch datacenters under Dutch legislation
  • Complete control over who has access to business data
  • Transparency about data processing and locations
  • Protection against access by foreign governments through laws such as the Cloud Act

Why is data sovereignty suddenly in the spotlight?

The interest in data sovereignty hasn’t come out of nowhere. Experts state that the current situation is unsustainable, where the Netherlands and Europe have become too dependent on American technology for their data processing services.

According to the House of Representatives Digital Affairs committee (February 2025), there are three main reasons for the growing attention:

Three critical factors strengthening the trend

  • 1 Geopolitical shifts – US-China tensions and Brexit show that technological dependence means political vulnerability. This recently became painfully clear when Microsoft shut down an International Criminal Court account after American pressure.
  • 2 Dependence on tech giants – TNO research shows that 92% of Western data is hosted in the US, only 4% in Europe. This concentration brings significant risks.
  • 3 Cyber threats and security – Increasing cyber attacks make companies and governments more aware of where sensitive Dutch data is stored and who has access to it.
EasyData RPA and AI integration schema shows automated workflows

Dutch initiatives strengthening the trend

The municipality of Amsterdam has already taken concrete steps with its ‘Exploration Amsterdam Digitally Independent’. Also in Northern Netherlands, initiatives are emerging such as ‘Cloud of the North’, where regional IT specialists collaborate on local cloud solutions.

The Dutch cabinet is working on an Agenda Digital Open Strategic Autonomy (DOSA), which is based on the principle “open where possible, protect where necessary”.

Why companies choose local data partners

  • ✓ 100% Dutch datacenters – All business data remains within Dutch borders
  • ✓ 25+ years Dutch data expertise – Knowledge of local legislation and compliance
  • ✓ Local data support in Dutch time – No timezone issues or language barriers
  • ✓ Open data standards – No dependence on American cloud giants
EasyData platform interface shows automated Excel integration

What does this mean practically for your company?

📊 Strategic perspective

“The Netherlands can only increase its digital autonomy if it structurally cooperates with European governments, including the European Union. The Netherlands could be much more decisive in joining and contributing to this.”

– Reijer Passchier, professor of digitalization and democratic rule of law (Open University)

🔒 International perspective

“In Denmark, strict choices about sovereignty were made at an early stage. All important digital infrastructures must, for example, be hosted in their own country and governments must have access to those datacenters. It is important that when building digital solutions, the organization remains the owner of the most important data, not a market party.”

– Thomas Rysgaard Christiansen, partner international market development Netcompany

Concrete actions you can consider now

For Dutch companies, digital sovereignty doesn’t mean you have to develop all technology yourself. It’s about making conscious choices:

  • Evaluate your current cloud strategy: Where is your data stored and who has access to it?
  • Research Dutch alternatives: For many American services, European or Dutch alternatives now exist
  • Plan a hybrid approach: Critical data locally, less sensitive processes can be international
  • Invest in knowledge: Ensure your team understands what digital sovereignty means for your sector

How EasyData contributes to Dutch data sovereignty

As a Dutch organization with 25+ years of experience in document automation, we understand the value of data sovereignty.
Our approach aligns with the growing need for local control over business data:

Dutch datacenters

All data is processed in our Dutch datacenter, in accordance with local laws and regulations. This gives you complete control over where your sensitive business information is stored.

Open standards

Our document automation solutions use open standards, so you don’t become dependent on one supplier or technology.

Transparent processes

Complete visibility into how your documents are processed, without black-box algorithms over which you have no control.

Local expertise

Dutch specialists who understand how Dutch companies work and which compliance requirements apply – you can link this to our contact page for more information.