Amazon, Google named by EU among 'critical' tech providers for finance industry

Core Points - The European Union has designated 19 technology companies, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft, as critical third-party computing providers for the finance industry under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) [1][3] - The new regulations aim to mitigate risks associated with the financial sector's reliance on external technology providers, particularly concerning cloud computing services [2][6] - The European Banking Authority, European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) will directly supervise these designated companies to ensure they have adequate risk management and governance frameworks [4][6] Company Responses - Companies such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services have expressed their commitment to comply with Europe's cybersecurity and resilience laws, indicating preparedness for the designation [5] - Google Cloud has also welcomed the designation, reflecting a positive stance towards regulatory compliance [4][5] Industry Context - Concerns regarding the resilience of the finance industry in Europe have intensified, with the European Central Bank highlighting geopolitical tensions and technological disruptions as significant risks [6] - The UK is implementing a similar regulatory framework, with expectations for designations to occur within the next year [6]