On June 16, Microsoft confirmed that the data of its European cloud service customers will be stored exclusively within Europe, in accordance with local legal requirements and under the supervision of local personnel, while ensuring full user control, as reported by Reuters.
The publication notes that European businesses and government entities are increasingly concerned about the risks of their data being transferred outside the continent, particularly to the United States. This has prompted American companies like Microsoft to implement new protective measures.
In April, Microsoft had already unveiled initiatives to protect user data as part of its expansion of cloud and AI capabilities in Europe. These initiatives are designed to comply with European laws aimed at limiting the influence of large tech firms.
On June 16, the company stated that any remote access by Microsoft engineers to systems storing and processing European data would occur only with permission and under the oversight of EU-based staff, in real time.
Additionally, Microsoft mentioned that its sovereign private cloud is currently operating under limited access, with a full rollout for all users expected later this year.
