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Cloud Computing: Restrictive Laws in Europe Slow Cloud Growth
A recent survey of US consumers found that nearly 90 percent of Americans have used cloud services in some way, although many don’t realize that they’re using the cloud. In fact, many didn’t know what ‘the cloud’ is, with more than half thinking that cloud computing is somehow related to the weather.
Another survey now puts those results about the US consumer in perspective. Actually, compared to the rest of the world, the US still is far ahead in gaining mind share around cloud computing. A survey by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) found that worldwide, including the US, only 34 percent of consumers are using the cloud. And when just Europe is considered, cloud usage is much lower, closer to 24 percent of people. 65 percent of Europeans say that they have never heard of ‘the cloud’.
Robert Holleyman, President of the Business Software Alliance, said that “Unfortunately, most computer users in the EU have little understanding of cloud computing and have not yet moved to capitalize on the opportunities cloud computing offers.”
In Europe, currently the four top uses for cloud computing are:
- 79 percent – Email
- 36 percent – Online word processing
- 45 percent – Photo storage
- 35 percent – Games
Holleyman notes that regulations in European counties is slowing the growth of the technology. Holleyman said that “The true benefits of cloud computing come with scale. In a global economy, you should be able to get the technology you need for personal or business use from servers located anywhere in the world. But that requires laws and regulations that let data flow easily across borders. Right now, too many countries have too many different rules standing in the way of the kind of trade in digital services we really need.”
