German State Bans Microsoft Teams and Other Software
The German state of Schleswig-Holstein is set to ban Microsoft Teams and other Microsoft software from its government operations. This move aims to enhance digital sovereignty and regain control over data storage by transitioning to open-source alternatives.
Impact on Government Operations
The change will affect nearly all civil servants, police officers, and judges within the state, impacting about half of Schleswig-Holstein’s 60,000 public servants. Approximately 30,000 teachers are also expected to follow suit in the coming years. Dirk Schroedter, the state’s digitalization minister, emphasized the need to ‘take back control’ over data storage during a video call using an open-source German program.
Transition to Open-Source Software
The transition began in 2024, starting with replacing Microsoft Word and Excel with LibreOffice, and switching from Outlook to Open-Xchange for emails and calendars. Plans are also in place to adopt a Linux-based operating system to complete the shift away from Microsoft Windows. Schroedter highlighted that recent geopolitical developments have strengthened interest in this path, particularly noting that the war in Ukraine revealed both energy and digital dependencies.
Rationale Behind the Decision
The decision is driven by concerns over digital dependencies and the influence of major American tech firms in Europe. Microsoft is facing scrutiny over its market dominance, particularly regarding its Windows operating system and Office suite. The European Union opened an antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s practice of bundling Teams with other business applications in 2023.
Schroedter mentioned that the state prefers using publicly owned German digital infrastructure over relying on American providers. The state plans to move its data storage to a cloud platform outside Microsoft’s control, further ensuring digital sovereignty.
This move by Schleswig-Holstein reflects growing concerns about digital independence and the role of major tech companies in government operations across Europe.
