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For a long time, the issue of digital dependency seemed like a debate confined to conferences, strategy papers, and expert panels. Now, however, it has become a very real question of power. This is because in many government agencies, parliaments, and public institutions, almost everything runs on software and services from the United States. It’s convenient, well-established, and, at first glance, efficient. But that is precisely where the problem lies.
As soon as politics and technology collide, convenience quickly turns into a risk. After all, anyone who relies on a handful of large providers for their communication, data, and entire workflows is relinquishing some control. That is precisely why there is now much more serious discussion in Europe about how to break free from this dependence.
The warning shot didn't come from the IT department
It wasn’t until a judge at the International Criminal Court lost access to his Microsoft account due to U.S. sanctions that many people realized this wasn’t just abstract theory. He lost not only his login credentials but also access to his communications and documents. A case like this comes as a shock. Suddenly, the question arises: what happens when digital infrastructure is no longer just technology, but a tool for exerting pressure?
By then, at the latest, it had become clear: anyone who depends on third-party platforms is not just a customer. In a pinch, they are also vulnerable. That is precisely what is now worrying governments and public administrations. Not because all systems will be shut down tomorrow, but because the mere possibility is enough to cause anxiety.
France is taking action; Germany is reviewing the situation
As a result, there is a growing desire in Europe to go it alone. France is taking a particularly visible lead in this regard. There, a homegrown video conferencing solution called “Visio” is being launched; it is based on open source code and is intended for a large number of government employees. This is more than just a new program. It sends a clear message: the country does not want to rely indefinitely on central tools provided by external sources.
Things are also starting to happen in Germany. The Bundestag is taking a close look at the entire digital infrastructure. At the same time, “openDesk”—the working platform supported by the Center for Digital Sovereignty—is slowly gaining traction. User numbers are rising, and interest is growing. All of this shows that the topic is no longer just a nice-sounding phrase for political rhetoric.
The real problem isn't the software
As tempting as the debate over technology may be, the hardest part lies elsewhere. New programs can be introduced. Systems can be overhauled. What’s much harder is changing habits and truly withstanding political pressure. People who have worked with the same products for years often don’t want to switch at all. Add to that complicated procurement processes, slow government agencies, and vendors who have long been deeply entrenched in the system.
This is precisely where it will be determined whether Europe’s desire for digital autonomy is more than just a buzzword. As long as we call for independence but continue to pour billions into outdated structures, the transition will remain half-hearted. The federal government pays enormous sums for Microsoft licenses every year. This shows just how deep the dependence has become.
Ultimately, therefore, the question isn’t whether Europe could technically break away from the Microsoft ecosystem. Of course it could. The more important question is whether we’re really willing to put up with the hassle, the transition, and the effort involved in a genuine change of course.
A critical look at the situation reveals a sobering reality: Europe likes to talk about sovereignty as long as it doesn’t cost anything. That is precisely where the problem lies. Anyone who wants to be independent must stop treating digital autonomy as nothing more than a buzzword. Otherwise, everything will remain the same in the end—only with even more paperwork, even more summits, and the same old programs on the screen.
Source: heise.de
