EU’s Research Dependence on Foreign Data: A Growing Concern

The European Parliament recently spotlighted a potential stumbling block for Europe’s researchers—their heavy reliance on foreign data sources, primarily from the United States. This dependency not only stirs geopolitical anxieties but also commercial apprehensions. Imagine the challenge of driving a vehicle while relying on borrowed fuel; such is the predicament painted by Signe Ratso, the European Commission’s chief negotiator for Horizon Europe agreements.

Ratso stressed that robust data sovereignty isn’t a mere policy chatterbox topic. It’s vital for Europe’s innovative engine. Areas like public health management and climate assessment have felt the pinch due to reliance on external data. Lina Gálvez Muñoz, from the Socialists and Democrats group, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the lifeblood of research and innovation is the dependable, unfiltered access to reliable datasets.

Pushing for Collaboration Alongside Data Sovereignty

While the notion of data sovereignty might suggest building walls, Ratso was clear that it’s more about building bridges. Global issues such as climate change demand shared access to essential datasets across borders. She urged for new international data-sharing agreements as a middle path between sovereignty and cooperation.

Enter the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), a brainchild aiming to connect European research infrastructures for seamless data access, while keeping ownership local. Klaus Tochtermann sees EOSC as a linchpin for attaining this coveted data autonomy. He promised future calls for even more infrastructures to jump on board, accelerating Europe’s journey towards an independent data ecosystem. The Horizon Europe initiative’s forthcoming evolutions could further cement Europe’s positioning as a research data powerhouse.

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