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US remote deactivations of technology create 'vertiginous uncertainty'
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Technology

US remote deactivations of technology create 'vertiginous uncertainty'

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • The US is increasingly using remote deactivations of technology, impacting everything from advanced fighter jets to AI services.
  • This trend, exemplified by the recent deactivation of Anthropic's AI for non-US users, raises concerns about digital dependency and potential future restrictions on major tech services.
  • Experts urge a proactive approach, including mapping risks and exploring European or Swiss alternatives to reduce reliance on US-controlled technology.

The United States is increasingly wielding its technological power by remotely deactivating services and products, a trend that extends from high-value military hardware to accessible artificial intelligence. The recent decision by the White House to deactivate Anthropic's AI service for non-US users, mere minutes after deeming it too powerful, highlights this growing assertiveness.

Washington is increasingly pushing the off button, and in strategic areas.

Describing the US government's actions regarding technology.

This pattern of "pushing the off button" by Washington is not new and has affected various sectors. Chinese tech giant Huawei has faced years of restrictions due to espionage concerns, and the antivirus software Kaspersky is also unavailable on many devices. Even individual international figures, like judges at the International Criminal Court, have been banned from US digital services.

Faced with this vertiginous uncertainty, there is only one way out: map these risks and seek other solutions.

Suggesting a course of action for dealing with US technological control.

The motivations behind these decisions are often political or economic, and not always rational. This creates a "vertiginous uncertainty" for global users and businesses dependent on US technology. The article warns that access to services from giants like Microsoft, Amazon, or Google could be restricted by White House decree in the future.

It is not about aiming for autarky (impossible to achieve) and even less about 'de-Americanizing' out of pure ideology. But just to reduce risks by exploring alternatives.

Clarifying the proposed strategy of reducing risk through alternatives.

To counter this, the article advocates for a strategic response rather than panic. It calls for a thorough mapping of these risks and the exploration of alternative solutions, particularly those developed in Europe or Switzerland, which are presented as potentially more secure. While not advocating for autarky or ideological "de-Americanization," the piece stresses the importance of reducing risks by diversifying technological dependencies and investing in domestic, cutting-edge services, especially in AI. The ultimate message is one of long-term preparation for future instances of US-imposed technological limitations.

There is no reason to panic. We just need to act, in the long term, to prepare for the next time the White House presses 'off'.

Concluding with a call for long-term preparation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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