At a Glance
- Kimberly Prost was added to the U.S. sanctions list, crippling her access to U.S. tech.
- The move highlights growing European concerns over U.S. digital dominance.
- EU lawmakers are pushing for reduced reliance on foreign tech providers.
**Why it matters: The sanctions show how U.S. policy can sever everyday connections for ordinary citizens and spur a broader push for digital sovereignty across Europe.
A Canadian woman now faces a reality where credit cards, Amazon, and U.S. tech services are unusable, a consequence of the U.S. adding ICC judge Kimberly Prost to its sanctions list last year. The sanctions stem from her role on an ICC appeals chamber that, in 2020, authorized an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan involving U.S. personnel.
U.S. Sanctions and Their Reach
The Trump administration added Prost, a judge on the International Criminal Court, to its economic sanctions list. The U.S. is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its authority, yet it targeted Prost because she had authorized an investigation that included U.S. service members. She now shares a list with individuals ranging from terrorists to hackers and spies.
Prost described the sanctions’ effect as “paralyzing.” She spoke with The Irish Times, explaining that the restrictions cut off her ability to use U.S. services that many Canadians rely on daily.
European Response
Cybersecurity Concerns
Belgium’s cybersecurity chief Miguel De Bruycker admitted that Europe has “lost the internet” to the United States. He said it is currently impossible to store data fully in Europe because U.S. infrastructure dominates. De Bruycker urged the European Union to strengthen its own tech ecosystem.
Legislative Action
On January 22, the European Parliament voted to direct the European Commission to identify areas where the EU can reduce its reliance on foreign providers. The vote was non-binding, but it came at a time when the Commission is moving to bring more technologies and dependencies onto its own turf.
France’s Digital Shift
The French government announced it would replace Zoom and Microsoft Teams with a domestically made video-conferencing platform called Visio. The decision was made by the French minister for civil service and state reform, David Amiel.
Historical Context
The concerns about digital sovereignty are not new. In 2001, the U.S. introduced the Patriot Act after the September 11 attacks, allowing U.S. intelligence agencies to surveil global communications, including those of European allies. The act conflicted with strict European data-protection rules.
Microsoft admitted in 2011 that it could be compelled to hand over European data in response to a secret U.S. government order. The reality of such surveillance was revealed in 2013 when classified documents leaked by NSA contractor Edward Snowden exposed widespread monitoring.
Consumer-Level Pushback
At the individual level, users are being encouraged to move away from U.S. tech providers. Independent journalist Paris Marx offers a guide for getting off U.S. tech services. Other websites-Switch-to-EU and European Alternatives-promote alternatives to Big Tech products, including open-source tools.
Key Numbers and Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | U.S. Patriot Act introduces expanded surveillance powers |
| 2011 | Microsoft admits potential U.S. data requests |
| 2013 | Snowden leaks reveal surveillance practices |
| 2023 | U.S. sanctions Kimberly Prost |
| January 22 | EU Parliament votes to reduce reliance on foreign tech |
Takeaways
- The U.S. sanctions on an ICC judge illustrate how political actions can disrupt everyday tech use for ordinary citizens.
- European leaders recognize the need to reclaim digital sovereignty, as evidenced by legislative and policy moves.
- Historical surveillance practices have long fueled European distrust of U.S. tech dominance.
- Consumers are actively seeking alternatives to U.S. platforms, supported by guides and community resources.
The sanctions against Prost and the broader European push for digital independence underscore a growing tension between U.S. policy and European autonomy. As more countries consider reducing reliance on foreign tech, the landscape of global digital infrastructure may shift dramatically.
