Proton warns against US tech dominance in Europe | The Dip Podcast

Europe’s reliance on American and Chinese technology creates a critical vulnerability, as the continent lacks control over the foundational digital stack—including hardware, cloud infrastructure, and data centers. Rather than merely regulating foreign tech giants for bad behavior, Europe must shift toward proactive investment in its own infrastructure to achieve digital sovereignty. While European startups possess significant innovation, they struggle against path dependency and a systemic failure to allocate capital toward high-risk, high-reward technological growth. Achieving autonomy requires moving beyond defensive measures to build integrated, competitive alternatives that businesses can adopt. Guests Cristina Caffarra, chair of the Eurostack Initiative, and Raphael Auphan, COO of Proton, emphasize that Europe’s economic strength is currently underutilized, and the path forward lies in fostering a robust, locally-owned digital ecosystem that prioritizes long-term independence over short-term convenience.