Digital sovereignty in Canada isn't a policy debate happening somewhere above you. You opened Gmail this morning, took a Zoom call after that, and wrote everything up in Microsoft Office, and every bit of it is sitting on an American server right now. The Department of Homeland Security is already using administrative subpoenas to pull data from people who criticize ICE, and Canadians are not outside that reach.

France has already moved off Zoom and Teams in favour of a homegrown platform called Visio, while Germany and Austria have stripped out Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat entirely. The lesson from Ukraine is worth sitting with: Elon Musk decided whether a warzone kept its internet running, then changed his mind, and Ukraine had no mechanism to override that call. Deleting your account won't insulate you either, because cloud data doesn't disappear when you unsubscribe. It exists somewhere, still searchable, still usable by people who don't share your interests.

Tech analyst Carmi Levy's starting point is email and office software, because your entire professional and personal life already lives there, and right now it's running on infrastructure that belongs to someone else entirely.

Topics: digital sovereignty Canada, American big tech data risk, Canadian tech alternatives, Starlink Ukraine dependency, Microsoft Office privacy

Originally aired on 2026-02-17

Digital sovereignty in Canada isn't a policy debate happening somewhere above you. You opened Gmail this morning, took a Zoom call after that, and wrote everything up in Microsoft Office, and every bit of it is sitting on an American server right now. The Department of Homeland Security is already using administrative subpoenas to pull data from people who criticize ICE, and Canadians are not outside that reach.
France has already moved off Zoom and Teams in favour of a homegrown platform called Visio, while Germany and Austria have stripped out Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat entirely. The lesson from Ukraine is worth sitting with: Elon Musk decided whether a warzone kept its internet running, then changed his mind, and Ukraine had no mechanism to override that call. Deleting your account won't insulate you either, because cloud data doesn't disappear when you unsubscribe. It exists somewhere, still searchable, still usable by people who don't share your interests.
Tech analyst Carmi Levy's starting point is email and office software, because your entire professional and personal life already lives there, and right now it's running on infrastructure that belongs to someone else entirely.
Topics:&nbsp;digital sovereignty Canada, American big tech data risk, Canadian tech alternatives, Starlink Ukraine dependency, Microsoft Office privacy
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-02-17

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.