Microsoft allegedly blocked the email of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
How can a blocked email account spark a global debate on digital sovereignty, tech trust, and the future of AI governance?
Microsoft has come under scrutiny after the Associated Press reported that the company blocked the email account of Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in compliance with US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
While this ban is widely reported, Microsoft, according to DataNews, strongly denied this action, arguing that ICC moved Khan’s email to the Proton service. So far, there has been no response from the ICC.
Legal and sovereignty implications
The incident highlights tensions between US sanctions regimes and global digital governance. Section 2713 of the 2018 CLOUD Act requires US-based tech firms to provide data under their ‘possession, custody, or control,’ even if stored abroad or legally covered by a foreign jurisdiction – a provision critics argue undermines foreign data sovereignty.
That clash resurfaces as Microsoft campaigns to be a trusted partner for developing the EU digital and AI infrastructure, pledging alignment with European regulations as outlined in the company’s EU strategy.
Broader impact on AI and digital governance
The controversy emerges amid a global race among US tech giants to secure data for AI development. Initiatives like OpenAI’s for Countries programmes, which offer tailored AI services in exchange for data access, now face heightened scrutiny. European governments and international bodies are increasingly wary of entrusting critical digital infrastructure to firms bound by US laws, fearing legal overreach could compromise sovereignty.
Why does it matter?
The ‘Khan email’ controversy makes the question of digital vulnerabilities more tangible. It also brings into focus the question of data and digital sovereignty and the risks of exposure to foreign cloud and tech providers.
DataNews reports that the fallout may accelerate Europe’s push for sovereign cloud solutions and stricter oversight of foreign tech collaborations.
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