Protection of critical digital infrastructure in the context of foreign direct investment

22.11.2019

Question for written answer E-003987/2019
to the Commission
Rule 138
Tom Berendsen (PPE)

Reports show that US companies have invested a good deal in critical digital infrastructure in the Netherlands, as a result of which there is a danger that the Netherlands may lose control over data that consumers and companies store in data centres on Dutch soil. This could affect the security and strategic autonomy of the European Union in the digital domain. This prompts the following questions:

• 1.How will the Commission arrange for critical digital infrastructure such as data centres to be better protected against takeovers by parties outside the EU?
• 2.Does the Commission agree that it is necessary for Member States to accelerate their efforts to comply with Regulation (EU) 2019/452 establishing a framework for screening of foreign direct investments into the European Union, and that it is necessary to analyse its quality and implementation without delay?
• 3.Does the Commission intend to take additional measures to improve protection of critical digital infrastructure that is crucial for European strategic autonomy?