Europe faces one of its main strategic challenges in a context marked by technological acceleration, the advance of AI, and the growing importance of data, digital infrastructure and technology platforms. According to the Digital Sovereignty in Europe 2026 report by Fundación Telefónica, the first major barometer on the perceptions of Spanish citizens and businesses regarding the challenge of European digital autonomy, 86% of Spaniards and 87% of Spanish companies call for Europe to develop its own technologies to be more competitive globally, while 82% of citizens and 86% of businesses perceive Europe as highly or fairly dependent on technology companies from other countries.

This dependence is a source of concern for both the public and the business community. 69% of citizens and 73% of companies believe Europe is falling behind the United States and China in technological development, and 62% and 49% respectively think this dependence could pose a threat to European security, with artificial intelligence and payment systems seen as the areas of greatest concern.

Although the concept of digital sovereignty remains little known — only 29% of citizens and 36% of companies say they have heard of it —, its implications generate widespread concern, regardless of age, gender, region or company size.

These findings show that digital sovereignty is not limited to the development of platforms or applications, but also involves infrastructure, industrial capabilities, data protection, ethics, security, talent and innovation.

“At Fundación Telefónica, through active listening to society and the business community, we have observed growing concern about Europe’s technological autonomy. Our commitment, in line with Telefónica’s purpose of being the best gateway to digital technologies, is to work to reduce this dependence in strategic areas by boosting European competitiveness, innovation and leadership. To this end, Fundación Telefónica fosters debate and cooperation among European industry players to develop technologies that are as competitive as they are ethical,” says Isabel Salazar, General Director of Fundación Telefónica.

Concerns are not limited to technological competitiveness. The report also reflects significant concern about the control and use of personal data by large non-European digital platforms.

Concern reaches particularly high levels when it comes to sensitive information: 90% express concern about access to banking data, 85% about wealth and tax information, 79% about location and mobility data, and 78% about health information.

Public support and development of strategic capabilities

Both citizens and businesses agree that the response to this situation involves strengthening the country’s own technological capabilities. 87% of citizens and 91% of companies believe European governments should actively promote the development of European technologies.

In addition, Spaniards identify telecommunications networks, cybersecurity, data centres and cloud services as key elements for digital sovereignty. 86% consider it a priority to have domestic capabilities in cybersecurity and telecommunications, 83% in data centres and 79% in cloud services.

These findings show that digital sovereignty goes beyond technology platforms and also includes critical infrastructure, talent, innovation, data protection and industrial capacity.