The evolution of the internet since its inception around 1995 has introduced significant changes in its economic model.
Today, surveillance capitalism dominates, beginning in the early 2000s, as tech giants like Google and Facebook began harnessing personal data and online behaviors for advertising revenue.
Given Canada’s geographical proximity to the United States and their intertwined economies, Canada has largely embraced this consumerist trend.
In contrast, Europe has had a different experience, shaped by historical invasions of privacy under regimes such as the Stasi in East Germany and the KGB during Stalin’s era.
These memories have spurred Europe to lead in establishing robust personal data protections, epitomized by regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Law Enforcement Directive.
Such measures have found their way into the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, establishing a strong foundation for individual privacy rights.
Canada, possibly taken by surprise in its relations with the U.S., now faces significant geopolitical challenges, including trade threats and President Donald Trump’s remarks about wanting Canada to become the 51st state.
This has ignited a sense of urgency in Canada to reassess its internal policies as well as its international alliances, particularly regarding trade and military readiness.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s promotion of ‘nation-building projects’ often overlooks a critical area: Canada’s digital infrastructure.
Recent developments underline the importance of this oversight.
Firstly, the current U.S. administration has raised doubts about its reliability as a partner to Canada.
Most of the discourse has revolved around economic concerns, but national security experts like Curtis McCord have warned that the situation has created vulnerabilities for Canada as well.
According to McCord, with Washington increasingly unreliable, there is a pressing need for Canada to diversify away from U.S. control over its digital infrastructure to maintain sovereignty and national security.
Secondly, the relationship between Silicon Valley and President Donald Trump has intensified, with tech leaders appearing to align themselves more closely with the administration.
A notable instance was the image of powerful tech figures at Trump’s inauguration, signaling a willingness to collaborate, which casts doubt on the safety of personal data in a surveillance-oriented economic structure.
Finally, President Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating information silos is cause for concern.
This order initiated a collaboration with Palantir, a company renowned for its surveillance software, to create a comprehensive database integrating various government records about every American and potentially all internet users.
The merger of government databases, alongside vast amounts of data collected by Silicon Valley, raises significant concerns, particularly given the current political climate that resembles authoritarian rule.
Civil liberties organizations, academic experts, and former Palantir employees have expressed grave fears about potential misuse, especially as Trump and his allies have threatened to engage in politically motivated actions.
In response to these concerns, European governments have intensified efforts to curb the excesses of Silicon Valley.
With Trump’s re-election and his threat to weaponize internet data, Europe is more determined than ever to pursue an independent digital environment that aligns with its values of democracy and privacy.
One of the notable initiatives in this context is Eurostack.
This collaborative effort involves academics, policy-makers, companies, and governments striving to design a digitally sovereign internet that embodies European principles — democratic, transparent, inclusive, and respectful of privacy rights.
Francesca Bria, a spokesperson for Eurostack, states that the initiative aims for a digital ecosystem controlled by Europeans from the ground up.
This encompasses everything from sourcing raw materials and manufacturing components to creating cloud infrastructures, operating systems, AI algorithms, and policy frameworks.
The potential benefits for Europe are substantial.
These include enhanced cybersecurity, innovation promotion, retention of high-end jobs, equitable collaboration, and the creation of quality employment opportunities within Europe.
However, despite the ambition behind Eurostack, Canada has not yet been integrated into the plans, highlighting a missed opportunity.
The initiative is still at a developmental stage, with current investments only in the tens of millions rather than the required billions.
This positions Canada favorably to enter discussions, as it has much to contribute to the Eurostack project while simultaneously benefiting from being part of a progressive, sovereign digital future.
With the project evolving, Canada is at a crucial juncture to engage proactively and align itself with the Eurostack initiative.
image source from：theconversation
