France Shifts Away From US Tech, Prioritizes Digital Sovereignty
The French government is preparing to phase out the use of US-based videoconferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom in favor of a homegrown alternative, Visio, beginning in 2027. This move, according to officials, is intended to ensure the security and confidentiality of electronic communications and maintain control over critical data and infrastructure within France.
David Amiel, the junior minister for the civil service and state reform, stated the aim is to “end the use of non-European solutions and guarantee the security and confidentiality of electronic communications by relying on a powerful and sovereign tool.” Visio is part of a broader suite of French tech alternatives, collectively known as LaSuite, designed for use by French officials and public-sector workers.
The decision comes amid growing concerns in Europe regarding reliance on US Big Tech companies. Discussions at the European Digital Sovereignty Summit in Berlin last November highlighted these concerns, and the shift towards homegrown solutions is gaining momentum.
Trump’s Rhetoric Fuels the Push for Sovereignty
The urgency surrounding digital sovereignty has been significantly heightened by the rhetoric of former US President Donald Trump, including threats to seize the Danish territory of Greenland. While discussions about technological ‘decoupling’ from the US were ongoing, Trump’s statements have dramatically altered the equation, according to Francesca Musiani, head of the Internet and Society Centre at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
“The urgency stems from the fact that geopolitical tensions, for instance over Greenland, can rapidly escalate and push the US to take advantage of Europe’s technological reliance, which has been built up over decades,” Musiani explained.
Christophe Grosbost, chief strategy officer at the Innovation Makers Alliance, added that past US threats were often dismissed as rhetoric, but Europeans are now recognizing the seriousness of the potential consequences, particularly given events in Venezuela. The concern is that the US could disrupt European societies and economies by cutting off access to key technologies.
Risks of Continued Reliance on US Tech
The reliance on US technology is particularly critical for public institutions, which handle sensitive data and are responsible for maintaining essential services. Should the US restrict access to services provided by companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon, the disruption would be significant.
Experts note that a key obstacle to shifting away from American tech is “administrative and political inertia.” Frans Imbert-Vier, CEO of Swiss-based technology consulting firm UBCOM, points to a recent example in Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein, where a switch to open-source software resulted in ongoing technical issues a month after implementation.
This inertia extends to the broader ecosystem, as the adoption of tools by government agencies often influences their use by partners, service providers, and citizens. This reinforces the dominance of American tech companies and potentially strengthens the leverage of the US government.
A Symbolic, But Important, Step
While the move to Visio is described as “symbolic” by some, it is also seen as a significant step towards asserting digital sovereignty. Musiani noted that “at the very least, it signals a desire to reduce exposure to the American ecosystem as soon as a European alternative, however imperfect, becomes available.”
However, concerns remain about whether this shift represents a long-term commitment or merely a public relations exercise. Martin Hullin, head of the European Network for Resilience and Technological Sovereignty at the Bertelsmann Foundation, emphasized the importance of public procurement in driving the development and adoption of European alternatives. He stated that “it’s public contracts that make the difference.”
The need for secure digital infrastructure and cloud services is also being recognized as a critical asset, requiring the same level of protection as essential services like roads, railways, and energy grids.
Amazon has responded to these concerns by launching its European Sovereign Cloud, but critics warn against “Euro-washing,” arguing that data would still be subject to US government control.
This article was translated from the original in French.
