Denmark’s Ministry of Digitalization is spearheading a significant shift away from Microsoft products, with plans to adopt open-source software to bolster digital independence and reduce reliance on U.S. tech giants. Starting next month, over half of the ministry’s staff will transition from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice, aiming for a complete switch to open-source solutions by the end of the year. This strategic move is also intended to circumvent the costs associated with managing outdated Windows 10 systems, which will soon lose official support.
LibreOffice, a comprehensive open-source office suite developed by The Document Foundation, offers a range of tools including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations, and is compatible across various operating systems. While the ministry anticipates a smooth transition, Minister Caroline Stage Olsen indicated the possibility of reverting to Microsoft products if unforeseen complexities arise. This initiative aligns with similar decisions by major Danish municipalities like Copenhagen and Aarhus, which previously cited financial motivations, concerns about market dominance, and political considerations for moving away from Microsoft.
The Danish government’s move is part of a broader European trend towards achieving digital sovereignty.
This week, the German state of Schleswig-Holstein also announced its intention to replace Microsoft Office and Outlook with LibreOffice and Open-Xchange, respectively, with future plans to migrate to the Linux operating system. Schleswig-Holstein initially declared its ambition to be a “digitally sovereign IT workplace” last April, emphasizing independence, sustainability, and security.
These actions by Denmark and Germany underscore a growing sentiment within Europe to lessen dependence on proprietary foreign software, particularly from the United States. The motivations behind these transitions are multifaceted, encompassing cost savings, a desire for greater control over data and systems, and a response to geopolitical tensions, all contributing to a concerted effort to foster digital autonomy.
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