After four years of Tesla ownership, the author reflects on their changing perspective, expressing hesitance about purchasing another Tesla due to concerns over company leadership, particularly Elon Musk’s behavior. The discussion transitions to the challenges of negotiating satellite services with Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper, emphasizing Switzerland’s digital sovereignty and reliance on American technology. Cybersecurity threats are highlighted, with increasing attacks noted, and the company’s commitment to enhancing defenses is underscored.
Reflecting on Tesla Ownership
After four years behind the wheel of a Tesla, would you consider purchasing another one?
My experience with the car was quite positive at the time. However, my perspective has changed, and I would now think twice before making a similar choice.
Elon Musk and Company Dynamics
Is there a sense of embarrassment surrounding Tesla ownership today?
No, it’s not about embarrassment. The vehicle remains an excellent choice. Yet, questions arise regarding the behavior of the company’s leadership.
Many Tesla owners now sport stickers stating, “I bought this before Elon went off the rails.” What are your thoughts on this? Have Musk and Trump crossed a line?
It’s not my place to pass judgment on either individual. Elon Musk has undeniably achieved remarkable feats, successfully running multiple companies and fostering significant innovations. That said, he does exhibit eccentric traits.
Given your negotiations with Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper for satellite services, you must have a distinct opinion on him.
While we are indeed in discussions with these companies, our interactions are with corporate representatives, not the owners themselves.
That seems like an easy way out.
From a Swiss viewpoint, the situation can certainly appear peculiar.
So, have you finalized any agreements yet?
No decisions have been made thus far.
When can we expect a resolution?
We anticipate reaching a decision within this year.
This arrangement could potentially turn Switzerland into a digital colony of the USA, mirroring the situation in much of Europe.
Labeling it a “digital colony” feels exaggerated. Switzerland boasts an excellent network infrastructure, maintaining our sovereignty. While there are gaps, our focus is on addressing them sensibly.
But the notion of a digital colony is not unfounded. Simple actions like checking WhatsApp on our iPhones highlight our dependency. Should telecommunications rely on U.S. satellites, we risk significant vulnerability.
My comments pertain to our network capabilities. Should we choose satellite solutions, they would only represent a minor aspect of our infrastructure. The majority of data flows through our own Swisscom systems, ensuring we remain well-positioned and independent. Nonetheless, when it comes to applications, we are heavily reliant on the U.S. I believe many users are unaware of how their data is handled. It’s crucial for Europe to awaken and develop independent providers.
You’ve indicated uncertainty about American data practices. With Starlink being tied to Donald Trump’s administration, doesn’t that raise concerns about negotiating with them?
Why would that be a concern?
There’s uncertainty regarding which government entities may have access to information at Starlink.
I view the U.S. as a nation governed by law, where regulations matter.
Many would disagree with that perspective.
Presidents are not in office indefinitely; there are term limits to consider.
The impact of U.S. political decisions on Switzerland is evident in export limitations on high-performance computer chips. Swisscom collaborates with American firm Nvidia for an AI initiative. How do you feel about these import restrictions?
Such restrictions are undoubtedly detrimental to our nation. It’s vital for Switzerland to be recognized among privileged countries in this regard.
Alongside Nvidia, Amazon is another significant partner, working with you on Swisscom’s cloud solutions for two years now. Would you enter into a similar partnership today?
Currently, these American firms lead their respective fields. While alternatives exist in Asia, particularly from China, Europe lacks comparable offerings.
So, alternatives were limited?
Exploring other options would involve considerably more effort, higher costs, and reduced innovation. Ultimately, one must balance these factors against sovereignty and dependency concerns.
Do customers express a desire for a solely Swiss cloud solution?
Indeed, we’ve been providing that option for years. Corporate clients determine what data should reside in a private Swiss cloud versus what can be stored elsewhere, depending on data sensitivity.
Sensitivity is crucial. Can you assure us that there are no backdoors for U.S. agencies in the products you offer in collaboration with American companies?
As far as we know, there are none.
So, you can’t completely rule it out?
It’s impossible to guarantee that any system is entirely error-free. If vulnerabilities exist, hackers must first access the data. We actively monitor this and are responsible for securely operating our infrastructures.
Speaking of security: Some analysts believe we are on the brink of World War III due to escalating global cyberattacks. Is this an overreaction or a genuine concern?
Cybersecurity remains a significant issue. We are witnessing a continuous rise in attacks, with over 200 million incidents recorded on our infrastructure each month. Investment in protective measures is also increasing.
How has the frequency of attacks changed over the past decade?
Due to technological advancements, direct comparisons are challenging. Attacks are now more easily detected, and launching them has become simpler, often requiring minimal expertise—essentially cybercrime as a service.
What are the primary sources of these attacks, and which targets are most frequently hit in Switzerland?
Almost anything visible and vulnerable attracts hackers. Their strategy typically involves identifying targets, discovering weaknesses, and exploiting them. A PC that connects to the internet without protection can be compromised in under five minutes.
We would prefer more specific details. Again: Where do most attacks originate, and what are the common targets in Switzerland?
We refrain from disclosing that information.
Do attacks also originate from the USA?
Yes, hackers operate from various locations worldwide, including the U.S. Many work from home offices, engaging in extortion.
How does your team coordinate with the VBS and intelligence agencies regarding threat assessments?
Our primary responsibility is safeguarding our infrastructures. We are allocating increasing resources to enhance our defenses. Naturally, we maintain active communication with relevant bodies in Switzerland, including the federal government, military, and intelligence services. This ensures we share information on threat levels and can respond in a coordinated manner.
What does that investment look like?
Currently, we have over three hundred personnel at Swisscom dedicated to cybersecurity for our operations and clients. We will soon offer…