petersuberJul 5, 2025

The French city of Lyon is dropping #Microsoft software in favor of #OpenSource alternatives. It doesn't want to depend on proprietary, closed-source software, and it doesn't want to depend on *American* software. It doesn't want "potential [US] governmental surveillance."
https://news.itsfoss.com/french-city-replaces-microsoft/

PS: It seems clear that #Trump is playing a role here. While he uses tariffs to boost American companies, he scares foreign buyers away from American companies, at least software companies that collect user data. He's creating a #TikTok problem for American software. Microsoft didn't help itself on this front by giving $1 million to the Trump inauguration.

BTW, many other US closed-source software companies gave $1m to the Trump inauguration, among them Adobe, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Perplexity.

French City of Lyon Kicks Out Microsoft

Microsoft faces growing rejection in Europe whereas open source software sees growing adaption.

It's FOSS News
Show threadpetersuberSep 28, 2025

Update. "#Austria's military has switched from #MicrosoftOffice to #LibreOffice. The move was all about digital sovereignty, not cost savings. Other governments are moving away from Microsoft to protect their citizens' privacy."
https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-european-military-just-ditched-microsoft-for-open-source-libreoffice-heres-why/

#OpenSource #Privacy #Surveillance #USPol #USPolitics

This European military just ditched Microsoft for open-source LibreOffice - here's why

It's not about the cost savings, either. Many government organizations are replacing Microsoft software for a more important reason.

ZDNET
Show threadpetersuberOct 31
Update. "The International Criminal Court (#ICC) will switch its internal work environment away from #MicrosoftOffice to #OpenDesk, a European [German] #OpenSource alternative."
https://www.euractiv.com/news/international-criminal-court-to-ditch-microsoft-office-for-european-open-source-alternative/
Show threadpetersuberNov 30
Update. The #UN is dropping #GoogleDocs in favor of #OpenSource #CryptPad (@CryptPad).
https://itsfoss.com/news/un-ditches-google-form/
UN Ditches Google for Taking Form Submissions, Opts for an Open Source Solution Instead

The United Nations opts for an open source alternative to Google Forms.

It's FOSS
Show threadpetersuberDec 9

Update. The German state of Schleswig-Holstein is migrating from #MicrosoftOffice to #LibreOffice and expects to save €15 million in 2026 alone.
https://itsfoss.com/news/german-state-ditch-microsoft/

#Germany #Microsoft #OpenSource

Hurray! This German State Decides to Save €15 Million Each Year By Kicking Out Microsoft for Open Source

Schleswig-Holstein's migration to LibreOffice reaches 80% completion, with a one-time €9 million investment on cards for 2026.

It's FOSS
Show threadpetersuberDec 18

Update. The Danish government is moving away from #Microsoft products to #OpenSource alternatives.
https://itsfoss.com/news/denmark-road-traffic-authority-ditches-microsoft/

#Denmark

Denmark Begins its Exit from Microsoft — and This is Just the Beginning

The move is part of a government-wide effort to reduce dependency on Microsoft software. The traffic department's move is just the beginning.

It's FOSS
Show threadpetersuber

Update. "Washington pushes back against EU’s bid for tech autonomy."
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-bid-for-tech-autonomy-washington-us-pushes-back/

PS: #Trump doesn't realize that he's the problem. Europe doesn't want to use software subject to US #surveillance, just as Trump himself (in his 2020 Executive Order 13942) didn't want Americans to use TikTok and other ByteDance software subject to Chinese surveillance.

It doesn't help when Trump turns US tech CEOs into donors and toadies. If the tech CEOs don't see this problem themselves, then shareholders should see it.

#FAFO #USPol #USPolitics

Washington pushes back against EU’s bid for tech autonomy

Suggesting US tech is as risky as Chinese tech is ‘a giant false equivalency,’ top US cyber official says.

POLITICO
Feb 14 at 3:07pmWeb
Show threadpetersuber4h ago

Update. "Almost Two-Thirds of Europeans Back Replacing US Tech, Poll Finds."
https://www.techpolicy.press/almost-two-thirds-of-europeans-back-replacing-us-tech-poll-finds/

PS: When will US tech CEOs realize that this is all because of Donald #Trump?

#USPol #USPolitics

Almost Two-Thirds of Europeans Back Replacing US Tech, Poll Finds

EU leaders are pursuing digital sovereignty plans to reduce the 27-country bloc’s dependence on the United States, writes Mark Scott.

Tech Policy Press
Show threadEgon Willigh☮gen 🟥3h ago
@petersuber I do not think that is correct. It certainly is an aspect of it, but it also includes the lack of consumer rights, the lack of privacy, and the platforms just getting worse than they were (e.g with hate speech, misinformation, etc)
Show threadJez 🍞🌹1h ago

@egonw @petersuber Hard agree: Trump is a mere symptom of the systemic problems rooted in rampant neoliberal ideology throughout the US economy and culture. Products and platforms optimised to the nth degree for pure short term profit at the expense of rights, privacy, basic functionality and anything else that can be tweaked to show a slight increase over last quarter's numbers.

Not that the UK or EU are immune, of course. We're just a bit behind the US on neoliberalism and pushing hard.

Show threadiBallesty1h ago
@petersuber great source of Euro alternates here: https://mastodon.social/@european_alternatives/115066127516563007
Show threadMela Eckenfels1h ago
@petersuber it's not all because of Donald Trump. It's also because of US tech leaders are going bonkers.