Digital Trust Is Built on Infrastructure, Governance, and Clear Policy

Digital transformation is no longer a topic for the future – it is already the backbone of economic competitiveness, innovation, and societal cohesion in Europe. Businesses, public authorities, and citizens rely daily on technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, connected mobility, and automated production systems. Yet these advances succeed only when trust underpins every interaction: systems must be secure, data handled responsibly, and rules applied consistently.

At eco, we see digital trust as inseparable from the infrastructure and governance that sustain it. Trust is not automatic – it must be intentionally designed, implemented, and maintained through three interdependent pillars: robust technical foundations, effective governance frameworks, and coherent policy implementation.

Infrastructure: The physical foundation of digital trust

Data centres are far more than warehouses for servers – they are the engines of the digital economy. They store and process data securely, provide resilience in an increasingly data-driven world, and enable high-performance digital services at scale. Without reliable data centres, companies could not offer cloud services, AI-driven applications, or automated production systems with the consistency that users expect.

A recent study by the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany shows the economic significance of this foundation: data centre usage generates around €250 billion in additional gross value added and supports roughly 5.9 million jobs in companies whose business models depend on cloud and data centre infrastructures.

Industry forums that bring together operators, network providers, cloud services, and policymakers demonstrate how technical infrastructure and policy expertise can converge. By sharing best practices, trends, and standards across the ecosystem, we reinforce that infrastructure is not neutral – it is the physical foundation that enables both innovation and trustworthiness in the digital economy.

Governance: Building trust through multi-stakeholder collaboration

Trust extends far beyond technical infrastructure; it must also be embedded in governance and policy. As a member of the Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) Advisory Board at the German Federal Network Agency, appointed by the German Bundestag, I see firsthand how governance frameworks shape the Internet ecosystem.

The DSC Advisory Board advises on implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA), ensuring that online platforms operate safely, transparently, and consistently across Europe. This role brings together business, academia, civil society, and authorities, demonstrating that cooperation across stakeholders is essential to building confidence. A legal framework alone does not create trust – it is the practical and fair implementation of these rules that reassures businesses, users, and regulators alike.

The DSA shows that policy becomes effective when it is actionable and collaborative. The vast majority of companies in Europe are embracing the DSA and adapting their processes accordingly, proving that EU regulations can be successfully implemented when stakeholders exchange knowledge and work together. When cooperation replaces confrontation, regulations become enablers of a secure, innovative, and trustworthy digital ecosystem rather than burdens.

Trustworthy AI requires forward-looking policy

Artificial intelligence (AI) represents one of the most profound opportunities – and challenges – for Europe’s digital economy. The European Commission’s AI Apply strategy signals an important shift from purely regulatory oversight toward a policy framework that actively enables AI innovation.

This is a positive development. AI can only reach its potential if businesses and public authorities have clear guidance, access to skills, and the capacity to deploy solutions responsibly. Broad support for AI adoption strengthens both economic competitiveness and societal confidence in these technologies. However, policy must be holistic. Fragmented or sector-specific measures risk creating uncertainty and eroding trust, especially for SMEs that often lack legal or technical resources.

According to a recent eco Industry Pulse survey, many companies cite unclear legal frameworks and security concerns as the biggest obstacles to adopting AI tools, demonstrating that legal certainty is essential to building trust and enabling innovation.

Trustworthy AI depends on smart policy: one that balances innovation with safety, accountability, and societal benefit. Only a coordinated European approach can ensure that AI systems are both cutting-edge and ethically robust, giving businesses and citizens the assurance they need to embrace these transformative technologies.

Legal clarity: Making regulations work in practice

Regulatory clarity is equally critical in building digital trust. The European Data Act, in force since September 2025, provides companies with a framework for sharing and using data. Yet implementation in Germany has faced challenges due to unclear supervisory structures and insufficient procedural guidance during the transition period.

The designation of the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) as the central supervisory authority, working alongside the German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection (BfDI) on data protection matters, is a welcome step toward coherent enforcement. However, these agencies must have adequate resources, clarity, and authority to provide practical guidance, enforce compliance proportionately, and support companies – particularly SMEs – in understanding their obligations.

Proportionate enforcement is crucial. Minor violations should be addressed with warnings rather than punitive fines, recognizing that smaller companies often lack large legal departments. What businesses need most is certainty and practical support, enabling them to leverage data responsibly without fear of overregulation or inconsistent application of rules.

Trust erodes when laws are ambiguous, or enforcement is unpredictable. Clear, coherent supervision builds confidence, encouraging companies to adopt responsible practices and innovate within well-defined boundaries. This is how regulation becomes an enabler rather than an obstacle.

Infrastructure and policy strengthen social cohesion

Digital trust is not solely a technical or legal matter – it is fundamentally a societal one. Across Germany and Europe, we must ensure that digital transformation benefits all regions and communities, reducing inequality rather than exacerbating it.

Rural and structurally weaker regions often face significant challenges in AI adoption, access to cloud services, and digital skills development. To address these gaps, we need differentiated regional support programs, local competence centres, and digital innovation hubs that facilitate knowledge transfer and foster collaboration between business, academia, and government. This approach strengthens social cohesion while ensuring that innovation is inclusive and trustworthy.

Education and training are critical. By preparing specialists and managers for the responsible use of AI, cloud, and other digital technologies, we empower them to act with competence, ethics, and transparency. Inclusive digital policies ensure that citizens and businesses alike see technology as a tool they can trust, rather than a source of uncertainty or exclusion.

A call for collaborative action

The European digital ecosystem is at a pivotal moment. Infrastructure, governance, and policy are interdependent pillars that together enable innovation and trust. Data centres provide the technical foundation, governance frameworks like the DSA ensure compliance and safety, and coherent EU policies create the enabling environment for responsible innovation.

Yet none of these elements can succeed in isolation. Policymakers, industry stakeholders, and civil society must collaborate closely and continuously. Only by aligning infrastructure investment, regulatory clarity, and societal inclusiveness can Europe build a digital ecosystem that is secure, reliable, and equitable.

Germany must not become a stumbling block in the European Single Market. Swift, practice-oriented implementation and clear signals to companies are essential so they can rely on support rather than legal uncertainty. When business, academia, politics, and civil society work together, we create the conditions for digital transformation that serves everyone.

Digital trust is not a byproduct of technological progress: it must be intentionally designed, carefully implemented, and continuously maintained. By committing to robust infrastructure, forward-looking policy, and inclusive societal perspectives, Europe can lead the world in digital innovation that people not only use, but truly trust.

Since January 2018, Alexander Rabe has been the Managing Director of eco – Association of the Internet Industry, the largest Internet industry association in Europe. He took over the management of eco’s Capital Office, including the division of Policy, Law and Regulations, in 2016. Prior to that, Rabe was CEO of the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI) and CEO of German Informatik Akademie GmbH in Bonn.