Why Europe Can No Longer Blindly Trust America (And Neither Can Your Photos)

Long the choice for American technology was the “safe” path, but in 2026 the world has changed drastically. From unpredictable trade wars to a growing crisis in digital autonomy: the reality is that America is no longer the self-evident ally it once was.

At PixelUnion, we believe that privacy and security are not optional. That is why we explain why it is time to free your data from American tech platforms.

An Ally Who Chooses for Themselves

Recently, it has become painfully clear that the United States increasingly prioritizes its own interests over those of its allies. The most recent escalation surrounding the Greenland crisis is a shocking example of this: President Trump threatens escalating import tariffs of 10% to 25% on all European goods to force Denmark to sell the island.

This form of “economic warfare” and the threat of US isolationism causes experts to estimate the reliability of American security guarantees as low as the impact of a nuclear attack. If allies are blackmailed for political favors, how safe is your data still with an American company?

The “Digital Colony” of Big Tech

Europe is currently almost entirely dependent on American cloud providers such as Amazon (AWS), Microsoft, and Google. We are effectively behaving like a “digital colony”. This total dependency brings enormous risks:

• Legal Backdoors: Even if data is physically located on European servers, the American government has legal access to that data through its own legislation.
• The “Lock-out” Threat: What if you are suddenly locked out of your mailbox or photo storage because you say something the American government doesn’t like? This scenario is no longer theoretical.
• Sanction Risk: When the US imposes sanctions on the EU (for example, because of the Greenland conflict), American cloud services could simply stop working, which would completely disrupt our society.

Why Data Does Not Belong in the US Cloud

The problem with the large American “hyperscalers” is not only politics, but also “vendor lock-in”. Companies and governments become so entangled in proprietary, closed systems that over time they no longer see an alternative.

Moreover, American institutional stability is wavering. Political interference in independent bodies such as the Federal Reserve undermines global trust in the dollar and the American rule of law.

PixelUnion: Your Safe Haven on European Soil

It is time for a “strategic awakening”. You don’t have to wait until the American tech giants change the rules; you can take action today.

PixelUnion offers an alternative that is based on European values:

• Data on European Soil: Your photos and videos are stored with European companies, under the protection of EU privacy legislation.
• Open Source: We build on an open platform (Immich), which ensures transparency and reliability without hidden agendas.
• No Tracking, No Ads: Unlike American Big Tech companies, your data is not a trading product with us.

Free your photos from American platforms and choose digital autonomy. Store your memories where they are safe: in the European Union.

Interested in switching? Discover our migration tools for Google Photos and start for free today.