Breaking News! France Switches to Linux - Government Digital Sovereignty Move

France announced it will replace Microsoft Windows with Linux across its government infrastructure. The decision, announced by DINUM (France's Interministerial Digital Directorate), marks a major push for digital independence from American technology.

Every French ministry must develop a migration plan by autumn 2026 covering workstations, collaboration tools, antivirus software, and network equipment. France has already migrated 80,000 health insurance employees to French-made alternatives like Tchap and Visio, replacing Microsoft Teams.

Minister David Amiel stated the goal is to "regain control of our digital destiny" and reduce reliance on American tools. The move affects 5.5 million public sector workers and manages critical infrastructure across defense, healthcare, and taxation.

Germany, Italy, and Spain have expressed similar concerns about technology dependence, so France's success could influence other EU countries. Microsoft declined to comment on the announcement.