You need to have a job and regular income, as IT expert you are practically welcome everywhere.

The other approach is to discover an European grandmother in the closet. I know loads of "Italiens" from South America over here.

(Some Hollywood celebs went this way using a German parent to be able to work in Europe)

I doubt living here helps protecting your data from American gov, rather from American biz.

In the coming trade war with Trump, I'm expecting heavy regulations for Google, Apple ,Amazon and Facebook to come. Probably with a shy attempt to use the Euro as an alternative Petrocurrency.