Half of UK businesses seek greater data control as AI security fears grow
Half of UK firms seek more control over sensitive data as AI security and privacy fears slow adoption, an IDC study says.
TechRadar reported the findings on Sept. 17, 2026. More than a quarter of UK businesses, 27%, rank digital sovereignty among the leading drivers behind technology investments going forward. The push is tied to AI: 56% of technology leaders worry that AI could create new security risks for their business.
Expereo CEO Ben Elms said digital sovereignty is increasingly being driven by a desire for greater control over how data moves across cloud, network and AI environments. Expereo argues that sovereignty means more than where data is stored. It also covers how data moves between networks and clouds, requiring greater transparency and visibility across those movements.
Pressure is not only coming from internal leadership. A quarter of the organizations surveyed, 26%, said customers and partners are adding pressure to localize data. That figure shows external commercial relationships are also shaping how UK companies approach data control.
Globally, 33% of organizations consider digital sovereignty a high or top priority, slightly ahead of the UK. The reasons differ by region, according to IDC's data. In Europe, regulations such as GDPR are major drivers, while the United States is more focused on national security. Despite those regional differences, AI is a uniting factor, Elms said.
"As AI adoption accelerates, this visibility will become an increasingly important part of helping organisations maintain control, manage risk and operate confidently across many jurisdictions," Elms said.