Microsoft, Ericsson lead global tech alliance for digital trust

Core Viewpoint - A coalition of 15 companies, led by Microsoft and Ericsson, has launched the "Trusted Tech Alliance" to promote digital trust and address concerns about data sovereignty amid increasing isolationist policies in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Alliance Formation - The alliance is the first coordinated effort by global companies to tackle issues related to data storage and digital sovereignty [1] - Discussions about forming the alliance began in mid-2022 between Microsoft and Ericsson [1] Group 2: Member Companies - The alliance includes notable companies such as Anthropic, Amazon Web Services, Alphabet's Google, Reliance Jio Platforms, Nokia, Cohere, NTT, and SAP [1] Group 3: Principles of the Alliance - The alliance is built around five principles: strong corporate governance, ethical conduct, secure technology development, adherence to global security standards, and support for an open digital environment [1] - Members will self-attest to these principles, which also include provisions for independent assessments [1] Group 4: Industry Context - The initiative responds to a growing trend of countries seeking to establish stronger technology borders and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers [1] - Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized the need for a clear definition of trust in technology [1] - Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm noted that no country can achieve full sovereignty alone, highlighting the interconnected nature of technology [1]