Following US President Donald Trump’s re-election, the question arises as to whether the US is still a reliable partner for Europe. Due to the tariffs imposed by Trump and overall political instability in the USA, many EU citizens want to boycott US products.
At the software level, this isn’t easy. But there are alternatives – and they are doing a decent job replacing Google. Here are four search engines from Europe.
Why Boycott US Software?
The idea of avoiding software products from the US is nothing new. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Apple, and Facebook’s Meta not only have enormous market power, but also exploit it – sometimes with anti-competitive practices.
Many also have concerns that sensitive data is not safe in the hands of US companies. Following US President Donald Trump’s re-election, the issue is gaining renewed importance, as the question of whether the US is still a reliable partner for Europe is increasingly being raised. Trump’s foreign and trade policy decisions, such as his tariff policy, are at least fuelling serious doubts.
Are There Risks of Biased or Filtered Information?
Yes. US search engines and content platforms can reflect algorithmic biases shaped by commercial or political influence. This may impact what European users see, trust, or can access—especially in regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, or education.
Data Insecurity in USA Poses Risks for European Companies
US-based platforms are subject to laws like the CLOUD Act, which allows US authorities to access data—regardless of where it’s stored. For European businesses, this creates legal uncertainty and potential conflicts with GDPR and national data protection laws.
Even if hosted in the EU, many US platforms collect, process, and potentially transfer personal data back to US servers. This can include user behavior, internal documents, or meeting records—often without explicit consent.
Compliance with EU Laws is Questionable
True GDPR compliance requires more than just data encryption or privacy policies—it requires jurisdictional control, which many US providers cannot guarantee under US law.
Video platforms like Eyre offer EU-hosted, privacy-first communication and productivity tools. These alternatives are designed to meet GDPR, the EU AI Act, and national laws (like Switzerland’s FADP), with no US legal exposure.
US software: Alternatives to Google from Europe
Tech CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Sundar Pichai (Google), Elon Musk (X), and Tim Cook (Apple) also appear to be kowtowing to Trump. Critics fear a closer intertwining of politics and business – possibly at the expense of user interests and data protection. With this in mind, we present four search engines from Europe as alternatives to US software.
Ecosia: Eco-Friendly Alternative to US Software
Ecosia is a search engine focused on planting trees and protecting the environment. Revenue from search ads is used to fund reforestation projects and plant trees where they are needed. Through their search queries, users can actively contribute to supporting sustainable projects to reduce environmental impact.
Ecosi also plans to develop a European search index together with the French search engine provider Qwant. The goal of the two companies: greater independence from Google, Bing, and the US – including for Europe. Under the motto “A greener planet with every search,” Ecosia aims to combine search engine and environmental protection.
Startpage as a Privacy-Focused Alternative to US Software
Startpage is a search engine that focuses primarily on data protection and aims to protect the privacy of its users. It enables anonymous searches because no personal information is stored or user profiles are created.
However, Startpage uses Google’s search engine to provide high-quality results – but does not store IP addresses. By combining search precision and privacy options, Startpage offers an alternative search solution for those who value privacy above all else.
Qwant: Child-Friendly Alternative to US Software Available
The French search engine also focuses primarily on privacy. Since its founding in 2013, the company has pursued the principle of not storing or sharing any personal user data. All search queries are processed anonymously. This provides protection against tracking and personalized advertising.
With “Qwant Junior,” the company offers a child-friendly version of the search engine, developed specifically for younger users. “Qwant Maps” is an alternative to Google Maps. The company operates its own web crawler that indexes websites, thus creating an independent database. Qwant also accesses data from Bing (Microsoft). However, the goal is a shared search index with Ecosia.
Metager: Anonymous Browsing Alternative to US Software
MetaGer is a German metasearch engine that combines search results from various sources. The company attaches great importance to data protection. The search engine is operated by the non-profit association SUMA-EV in cooperation with Leibniz University Hannover.
MetaGer does not store any personal data and enables anonymous browsing through an integrated proxy service. Users have the option to select the search engines MetaGer should consider when making a query, allowing them to customize their search. The entire service is powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Recently, however, the search engine became chargeable – but it does not contain any advertising.
Why Are European Companies Moving Away from US-based Software?
Many European businesses are re-evaluating US tools due to increasing concerns over data sovereignty, compliance with GDPR, and exposure to extraterritorial laws like the US CLOUD Act, which can compel access to data stored abroad.
What is the US CLOUD Act, and why does it matter?
The CLOUD Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act) allows US authorities to request access to data held by US companies, even if that data is stored in Europe. This can conflict with EU data protection laws and raise serious compliance risks.
Can Using a US-based Platform Violate GDPR?
It can, particularly if the platform transfers or processes personal data outside the EU without adequate safeguards. Even “EU-hosted” services by US companies may still fall under US jurisdiction, which introduces legal uncertainty.
Is EU-Only Hosting Enough?
Not always. True compliance requires EU-based control over infrastructure, support, and data governance—not just data residency. For true compliance, European Compliance Suite ensures that every layer of our stack, from servers to audit logs, is fully under EU jurisdiction.
European Compliance Suite platform is built and hosted entirely within the EU, by a European company, with no ties to US cloud providers. That means no silent data transfers, no extraterritorial exposure, and full alignment with GDPR, the EU AI Act, and national laws like Switzerland’s FADP.
Why Does Data Sovereignty Matter for European Businesses?
Data sovereignty ensures that your information is governed solely by European laws, stored in the EU, and never subject to foreign surveillance or extraction. It’s essential for maintaining trust, auditability, and legal compliance—especially in sensitive industries.
Finally, a meeting platform that respects European standards
Eyre European secure meeting platform is autonomous, encrypted, and compliant — replacing the risks of Zoom and Meet with a purpose-built alternative for use in Europe and beyond.
Julie Gabriel wears many hats—founder of Eyre.ai, product marketing veteran, and, most importantly, mom of two. At Eyre.ai, she’s on a mission to make communication smarter and more seamless with AI-powered tools that actually work for people (and not the other way around). With over 20 years in product marketing, Julie knows how to build solutions that not only solve problems but also resonate with users. Balancing the chaos of entrepreneurship and family life is her superpower—and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
- Julie Gabrielhttps://eyre.ai/author/eyre_admin/
