Norwegians want control over their own data, but are skeptical of new data centers
A new survey from Respons Analyse shows that eight out of ten Norwegians want Norwegian data to be stored within the country's borders. This indicates that the population is concerned with digital security and national control over information.
Despite the desire for local storage, there is little support for building more large data centers in Norway. Only 25 percent of those surveyed believe it is right to invest in an expansion of this industry.
The resistance may be linked to the debate over resource use. Data centers require large amounts of electricity, which has been a hot topic in Norway recently. Many are concerned about how this affects electricity prices and the availability of energy for other parts of society.
The results show a clear dilemma for Norwegian authorities. On one hand, there is a desire to protect national data from foreign access, but on the other hand, there is little willingness to facilitate the infrastructure required to store this data.
The path forward will require a balancing act between the need for digital sovereignty and considerations regarding the environment and energy consumption. It remains to be seen how politicians will handle this gap between people's wishes and the need for technological development.