en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Brazilian Internet Infrastructure and Cloud Service Providers Association (AbraCloud) has released an agenda proposal aimed at formulating industrial policies for the cloud computing and digital infrastructure sectors. The document compiles recommendations on government cloud service procurement, data center infrastructure incentives, taxation, innovation, and talent development, seeking to contribute to a national strategy that enhances industry competitiveness and digital sovereignty, particularly concerning the processing and storage of Brazilian citizens' data hosted overseas or on cloud platforms based on foreign technology.
Among the advocated measures, AbraCloud proposes that the government adopt specific criteria when procuring cloud computing services. Public procurement should consider whether suppliers ensure sovereignty over data formatting, storage, processing, transmission, and inference. The association also advocates for evaluating the use of non-proprietary (or open-source) technologies to safeguard digital sovereignty at the national level, as well as the geographic location of data centers. AbraCloud states that the current and next administrations should prioritize dialogue with businesses and civil society on this agenda.
In the document, the association notes that the majority of Brazilian government, corporate, and personal data is hosted in overseas data centers, often utilizing proprietary technologies. According to AbraCloud, this situation can lead to technological dependency, as well as risks related to lock-in, information security, and data jurisdiction. The most severe risk is that external decisions (such as system blockades or shutdowns) could cause service interruptions or data breaches for Brazilian citizens, thereby jeopardizing essential national services.
The agenda also proposes an industrial policy for internet and cloud computing infrastructure, encompassing tax, regulatory, and innovation incentives. This policy should prioritize the development of open-source technologies, national data center infrastructure, strengthening Brazilian local suppliers, and adopting open-source solutions. The association also argues that discussions on tax reform and the Artificial Intelligence Bill (PL da IA) should consider the impact on the competitiveness of the digital infrastructure industry. According to the document, reducing the tax burden on cloud services and digital infrastructure could make the country more attractive for investment and stimulate innovation.
Another proposal is to expand public policies aimed at training information technology professionals. Recommended measures include technical training programs, expanding university and technical course offerings, and establishing partnerships with research centers already working in the field. According to AbraCloud President Roberto Bertó, the association advocates that the current and next administrations prioritize the development of public policies involving incentives, training, innovation, and regulation, which are crucial for Brazil's technological future and, indeed, its economic and social development. Bertó added that it is clear progress is necessary, and dialogue between the government, the productive sector, and civil society should be friendly, continuous, and enduring, making it essential to formulate strategies for the coming years.
