Europe Must Stand Tall: A Netcompany CEO’s Open Letter

Netcompany CEO Calls for European Digital Sovereignty with Statue of Liberty illumination

By Archyde News Service

The Statue of liberty at Pont de Grenelle in paris illuminated with the message “Stand Tall europe” on April 22. (Photo: Netcompany)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 23, 2025 – In a bold move to ignite a conversation about Europe’s digital future, André Rogaczewski, CEO and co-founder of Netcompany, initiated a campaign that illuminated the Statue of Liberty at Pont de Grenelle in Paris on april 22 with the message: “Stand tall Europe.” The illumination served as the visual launch of an open letter penned by Rogaczewski, urging Europe to embrace digital sovereignty and safeguard its democratic values in an increasingly digital world.

Rogaczewski’s open letter, addressed to “Europeans,” declares: “This is your digital awakening.” He emphasizes the critical need for Europe to control its digital infrastructure to foster competitiveness, growth, and prosperity. He argues that the continent’s reliance on non-European systems for essential services—from dialog and finance to healthcare and elections—poses a risk to individual rights and democratic principles.

“Europe’s digital backbone is to a large extent built on systems we don’t necessarily control,” Rogaczewski states. “What we need is a response.To protect our individual rights, and shape a digital European ecosystem rooted in our own democratic values – not those imposed by people who no longer necessarily share our beliefs.”

The choice of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, was deliberate. “We chose the Statue of liberty because it stands as a symbol of freedom, justice, the end of oppression, and opportunity for all,” Rogaczewski explains.He notes that the statue,once a symbol of shared transatlantic values,now serves as a reminder that Europe must independently champion those ideals in the digital realm.

Rogaczewski calls for a multi-pronged approach to achieve digital sovereignty:

• Establishing more European data centers.
• Creating trusted age-verification systems to protect children online.
• Ensuring the integrity of elections by combating digital propaganda.
• Developing trustworthy, robust, fair, and transparent applications and systems.
• Offensively using AI designed with European values and transparency to create efficient public and private administration.
• Developing smart digital twins for physical infrastructure across industries to optimize European businesses uniquely.

“Where the Statue of Liberty lifts a torch, Europe’s task today is to light the digital path forward—by asserting digital sovereignty, defending rights online, and building our own trusted secure systems and applications that our societies can rely on and prosper with,” Rogaczewski wrote.

Rogaczewski also emphasizes the importance of attracting and uniting global talent to contribute to Europe’s digital awakening. “We must make this continent the most attractive destination for the world’s sharpest minds,” he asserts.

Netcompany’s initiative arrives amidst growing global concerns regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. the European Union has been at the forefront of regulatory efforts, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets a high standard for data protection and privacy.

Netcompany, founded in 2000, has grown into a major IT services provider in Europe, employing over 8,250 individuals across more than 10 countries. The company provides IT solutions for both public and private sector clients, focusing on digital conversion and enduring innovation.

Rogaczewski concludes his letter with a call to action: “Let’s take back the future.”

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About Netcompany

Founded in 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Netcompany provides essential IT solutions for both societal and business needs, aiding our private and public clients in their digital evolution towards a more efficient and sustainable future.

Our team of skilled professionals drives sustainable innovation, consistently advancing and expanding our impact – one solution at a time.

By building flexible,scalable and secure digital solutions,we help Europe lead the way towards responsible digitalisation.

What action steps can the European Union/individual European members take to more effectively achieve broader adoption of GDPR-like laws globally?

Netcompany CEO André Rogaczewski on European Digital Sovereignty: an Archyde Interview

Archyde News – Welcome, everyone, to a special Archyde News interview. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with André Rogaczewski, the CEO and co-founder of Netcompany. Mr. Rogaczewski,thank you for joining us.

André Rogaczewski – Thank you for having me.

The “Stand Tall Europe” Campaign

Archyde News – Your recent initiative, illuminating the Statue of Liberty in Paris with the message “Stand Tall Europe,” certainly captured global attention. What was the driving force behind this bold campaign?

André rogaczewski – We felt it was crucial to ignite a conversation about Europe’s digital future. We believe Europe needs to take control of its digital destiny, much like how the Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom.The campaign underscores the urgency for European digital sovereignty.

Archyde News – The choice of the statue of Liberty is very symbolic.Can you explain the connection you’re trying to make between this monument and the concept of digital sovereignty?

André Rogaczewski – The Statue of Liberty is a potent symbol of freedom and chance. It once represented shared transatlantic values. Now, in the digital realm, we must champion those same ideals independently.We need to ensure our digital spaces reflect and protect European values – not those imposed from elsewhere.

Key Pillars of European Digital Sovereignty

Archyde News – In your open letter, you outline several critical areas for achieving digital sovereignty. Could you elaborate on a few of the most pressing priorities?

André Rogaczewski – Absolutely. First, we need to establish more European data centers to secure control over our data infrastructure. Second, we need robust age-verification systems to protect children online. furthermore, it includes ensuring election integrity by fighting digital propaganda and developing trustworthy applications built on European values.

Archyde News– You also mentioned the use of AI designed with European values. How do you envision this playing out concretely?

André Rogaczewski – AI offers enormous potential in both the public and private sectors.However, we need to ensure that the AI we use is transparent, fair, aligns with our ethics, and prioritizes the well-being of our citizens. For instance, utilizing AI to optimize public administration or create efficiencies across businesses with the introduction of unique digital twins to the physical infrastructure.

Addressing Concerns and Future Outlook

Archyde news – The EU has been at the forefront of data privacy regulations,such as GDPR. What are the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in implementing these initiatives?

André Rogaczewski – Implementing these is not without its challenges, of course. From a business viewpoint, it’s ensuring transparency and building trust. These regulations must be properly adapted and tailored to different industries.The GDPR gives us a head start, but there’s constant work needed. What is important is that they provide the regulatory frame to ensure European values can be promoted and maintained.

Archyde News – what message do you hope to convey to Europeans through this campaign?

André Rogaczewski – We want to inspire a digital awakening. It’s time to build a future where Europe controls its digital destiny, defends its rights online, and builds secure systems we can trust. We must attract the sharpest minds globally. By taking back control of our digital future, we can ensure a prosperous and secure Europe.

Archyde News – Mr. Rogaczewski, thank you for your time and insights. It’s a fascinating discussion about a really critical topic for Europe’s future. We appreciate it.

André Rogaczewski – The pleasure was all mine.

Archyde News – now we would like to open up the floor for public comments. What do you think about the call for European digital sovereignty? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!