France leaves Windows for Linux to reduce dependence on non-European companies

On April 8, DINUM organized an inter-ministerial seminar to discuss the need to reduce digital dependence on non-EU sources and to accelerate the French and European strategy for digital sovereignty.

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Following its celebration, several specific measures have been announced, including the decision to abandon the Windows operating system on government devices, and to opt for open source Linux systems, as stated in a statement.

The goal is to reduce its dependence on American tools (Windows belongs to Microsoft) and regain control of its “digital destiny”, as pointed out by the Minister of Action and Public Accounts, David Amiel.

“We can no longer accept that our data, our infrastructure and our strategic decisions depend on solutions whose rules, prices, evolution and risks we do not control,” he added.

For her part, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology, Anne Le Hénanff, has stressed the importance of sending a clear message of “regaining control over your technological decisions for the sake of your digital sovereignty.”

Within the framework of these policies, the Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie (CNAM) announced the migration of its 8,000 employees to interministerial digital platform tools (Tchap, Visio and FranceTransfert for document transfer). Additionally, the government has indicated that the health data platform will migrate to a reliable solution by the end of 2026.

Looking ahead to future measures, DINUM will coordinate an inter-ministerial strategy to reduce dependence on extra-European companies, in which each ministry must present its own plan before autumn, focusing on areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), antivirus, databases or network equipment.

The measure is included in the European Union’s purpose to advance towards its digital sovereignty after the “hostility” of the administration of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, towards the EU, as well as its “close ties” with technology companies such as Microsoft.