- France “leads by example” by focusing heavily on digital sovereignty
- Linux operating systems will be favored over Windows
- Plans are already in place to move a health data platform
France is set to migrate all government desktops from Windows to Linux as part of a national strategy to cut costs and reduce dependence on US tech giants.
The initiative, led by the Interministerial Digital Directorate (DINUM), will require all ministries to submit their own migration plans by autumn 2026, with IT organizations like DINUM launching the migration before other organizations.
“DINUM will coordinate an interministerial plan aimed at reducing non-European dependencies,” DINUM said in a press release.
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Full steam ahead to eliminate American Big Tech
What we are seeing in France is part of a broader dynamic of European sovereignty, with other member states seeking to reduce their dependence on American tech giants and regain control of their own software.
“Digital sovereignty is not an option, it is a strategic necessity,” wrote the Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff.
“France is setting an example by accelerating the transition towards sovereign, interoperable and sustainable solutions.”
This initiative is not limited to Windows: collaboration tools, cloud and infrastructure, AI systems, databases and networks are all under scrutiny as part of the sovereign initiative.
The French government has already confirmed plans to move a health data platform to another “reliable solution”, and Caisse nationale d’assurance santé (CNAM) workers have access to local software alternatives like Tchap, Visio and FranceTransfert.
As for replacing Windows operating systems with Linux, the benefits are twofold. Not only will open source alternatives give France greater control over security and updates, but the very nature of open source avoids vendor lock-in and high licensing costs.
“We must desensitize ourselves to American tools and regain control of our digital destiny,” concluded Minister of Action and Public Accounts David Amiel.
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