Even the French government is switching to Linux now in a bid for ‘digital sovereignty’
The French government has launched a strategic initiative to shift toward Linux and away from Windows operating systems as part of a comprehensive digital sovereignty agenda. During an April 8 seminar, representatives from multiple French government agencies gathered to discuss strategies for reducing the nation’s technological dependence on non-European infrastructure and services. The migration to Linux, an open-source operating system, represents a concrete step toward achieving greater independence from American technology companies and their proprietary platforms.
This government-level shift reflects broader European concerns about vendor lock-in, data control, and long-term reliance on US-based software platforms. By transitioning to Linux—which provides open-source code and greater operational flexibility—French government agencies aim to reduce what officials explicitly describe as “extra-European digital dependencies.” The initiative underscores a larger European trend toward technological sovereignty and autonomy, driven by growing awareness of geopolitical risks and the importance of controlling critical digital infrastructure.