11 June 2025 – The European Union’s DNS4EU initiative has reached a major milestone with the launch of DNS4EU Public Service, providing European internet users with free, privacy-respecting secure DNS resolution. Led by Whalebone and supported by a trusted consortium of EU cybersecurity partners, this launch delivers a key component of the European Commission’s vision for strengthening digital sovereignty and cybersecurity across the continent.

“There hasn’t been much alternative to Google or Cloudflare DNS globally, and we are changing this now,” shared Whalebone CEO Richard Malovic. Unlike existing DNS services dominated by non-European providers, DNS4EU is designed and operated entirely within the EU, ensuring compliance with European data protection standards and offering a transparent, sovereign alternative for DNS resolution.

Strengthening Europe's Digital Sovereignty Through PDNS
Led by Whalebone in partnership with 13 organisations from 10 countries, DNS4EU is a European Commission-backed project building a secure and privacy-compliant DNS infrastructure. With support from ENISA and national CERTs, the project reinforces the EU’s digital sovereignty by protecting institutions and citizens from cyber threats – via Protective DNS (PDNS).

“DNS4EU is more than an alternative to big-tech DNS, it’s a strategic foundation for digital sovereignty,” said George Buhai, Government Liaison at Whalebone. “It’s giving European institutions – from national governments to regional agencies – the tools to defend their citizens and digital sovereignty.”

Fulfilling the Commercial Requirements
While the public service marks an important step, it represents only part of the DNS4EU mandates. As defined by the EU (see: DNS RFC 1034/1035), the initiative also called for a commercially viable PDNS tailored for government and critical infrastructure sectors – where basic free services are insufficient. In response, Whalebone developed DNS4GOV, specifically tailored for the security, compliance, and operational needs of government and public sector entities.

“After a successful development phase, the DNS4EU project is now entering large-scale adoption,” added Mr. Buhai. “This shift is anchored by the launch of a public service and the rollout of DNS4GOV, a commercial offering designed to protect governments, critical infrastructure, essential sectors, and the general public with scalable DNS protection.”

DNS4GOV Now Available Globally
Public sector institutions worldwide can now adopt DNS4GOV, the commercial-grade solution developed through the DNS4EU program. Whalebone has already enabled governments, telecoms, and ISPs in deploying PDNS protections for millions of users – stopping phishing, malware, and other threats without compromising performance or privacy.

This milestone follows earlier program achievements detailed in Whalebone’s January 2025 update and paves the way for broader PDNS adoption as a strategic cybersecurity layer for governments worldwide.

Help Shape Europe’s Secure Digital Future
As DNS4EU moves into its next phase of full-scale implementation, collaboration remains essential. The project has united key stakeholders across Europe to lay the groundwork for a resilient DNS infrastructure that protects both citizens and institutions.

“More than a technical project, DNS4EU has proven to be a valuable strategic partnership between cybersecurity stakeholders across Europe,” said Magdalena Krucka, DNS4EU Communications Manager. “Through collaboration with EU CERTs, CSIRTs, and government agencies, we’ve built the foundations for cross-border protection of critical infrastructure, and now we’re ready to scale that impact.”