'Regain control of our digital destiny': France to ditch Windows for Linux to reduce reliance on US tech

Date:
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:35:00 +0000

Description:
As part of France's push for digital sovereignty, Windows machines are being replaced with open-source Linux alternatives.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Pro Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter France is "leading by example" by going
all-in 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 move all government desktops from Windows to Linux as part of a nationwide strategy to cut costs and reduce reliance on US tech giants.

The initiative, led by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM), will require all ministries to submit their own migration plans by autumn 2026, with IT bodies like DINUM kickstarting the migration before
other bodies. "DINUM will coordinate an interdepartmental plan to reduce non-European dependencies," DINUM said in an announcement . Article continues below You may like 'The aim is to end the use of non-European solutions and guarantee the security and confidentiality': French government is ditching US tech such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams in favor of homegrown alternatives Another European government agency is preparing to ditch Microsoft if needed How Europe is confronting its digital dependency problem Full steam ahead on removing US Big Tech What we're seeing in France is part of a broader Europe sovereignty push, with other fellow member states seeking to reduce reliance on US tech giants and regain control over their own software.

"Digital sovereignty is not an option, it is a strategic necessity," Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs Anne Le Hnanff
wrote.

"France is leading by example by accelerating the switch to sovereign, interoperable and sustainable solutions."

The push covers more than just Windows collaboration tools, cloud and infrastructure, AI systems, databases and networking are all being
scrutinized under the sovereign drive. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me
with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

France's government has already confirmed plans to move a health data
platform to another "trusted solution," and workers of the country's National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) are being given access to local software alternatives like Tchap, Visio and FranceTransfert.

As for the replacement of Windows operating systems with Linux, the benefits are twofold. Not only will the open-source alternatives give France better control over security and updates, but the very nature of open source
prevents vendor lock-in and high licensing costs.

"We must desensitize ourselves from American tools and regain control of our digital destiny," Minister of Action and Public Accounts David Amiel concluded. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/regain-control-of-our-digital-destiny-france-to- ditch-windows-for-linux-to-reduce-reliance-on-us-tech


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