France’s Digital Minister David Amiel has announced that the country will replace Microsoft Windows with the open-source operating system Linux on government computers. The French government’s decision to transition to Linux, aimed at reducing dependence on US technology, marks a significant step in Europe’s pursuit of digital sovereignty.
The primary objective behind this move is to “regain control of our digital destiny.” The French government does not wish to rely on systems over which it does not have full control of its data and digital infrastructure. The decision has also been influenced by the unstable and unpredictable behavior of the Trump administration, prompting efforts to reduce reliance on American tech giants.
The transition process will initially begin with computers at France’s digital agency DINUM. However, no specific timeline has yet been finalized, nor has the particular Linux distribution to be used been determined.
France is not alone in this effort. Across Europe, momentum is growing to reduce dependence on US technology. In January, the European Parliament adopted a report instructing the Commission to provide guidance on decreasing reliance on foreign providers.
France has previously taken steps to replace American technologies. Just a few months ago, it decided to use the French platform Visio instead of Microsoft Teams for video conferencing. Additionally, there are plans to migrate healthcare data platforms to a trusted platform later this year.
It is worth noting that Linux is an open-source operating system that is completely free. Various customized versions are available for specific tasks. Being open source, it allows full control over security and system management.
France’s initiative represents a key milestone in Europe’s journey toward digital independence. If successful, other European countries may follow a similar path.
DBTech/BMT/OR
