Digital Sovereignty
Ongoing coverage on Digital Sovereignty.
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Switzerland trials ditching Microsoft and using free and open-source software, available for 'around 3,000…
Switzerland's Federal Chancellery has successfully trialed the use of open-source software as a replacement for Microsoft 365, concluding it is feasible for its Federal Administration. A follow-up program will make these solutions available to approximately 3,000 employees by the end of 2027, aiming for greater digital sovereignty.
The European Parliament may be ditching Google as its default search engine
The European Parliament is considering dropping Google as its default search engine as part of its broader digital sovereignty initiatives. This move reflects a growing trend within the EU to reduce reliance on major tech companies.
Germany cuts Steam Deck desktop devs a $1.5 million cheque, they declare an end to 'insecure spyware-riddled software imposed by the likes of Microsoft'
Germany's Sovereign Tech Agency has awarded €1.3 million (approximately $1.5 million) to the KDE community to support its free and open-source software development, including the Plasma desktop environment used on the Steam Deck. KDE expressed that this funding signifies a global shift away from proprietary software from companies like Microsoft and Google towards more secure and user-controlled alternatives.
After fining Google more money than exists on Earth, Russia demands so little from EA it feels like a weird joke
Russia has fined Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Battlestate Games, and NetEase approximately $27,000 each for failing to localize Russian gamers' data on domestic servers. This follows significantly larger fines levied against Google for blocking pro-Kremlin channels. While Roskomnadzor denies plans for further restrictions, the move aligns with Russia's pursuit of digital sovereignty.
French government says au revoir Windows, bienvenue Linux
The French government has announced its intention to replace Microsoft Windows with the open-source Linux operating system on its workstations. This move is part of a broader European effort to enhance digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign technology companies. France is also migrating its videoconferencing tools and health data platforms.
Even the French government is switching to Linux now in a bid for 'digital sovereignty'
The French government is planning to transition away from the US-made Windows operating system to Linux as part of its digital sovereignty initiative. This move aims to reduce dependency on foreign technology and regain control over digital infrastructure and strategic decisions. The National Health Insurance Fund plans to migrate its 80,000 agents to 'sovereign solutions' by the end of 2026.
