In a bold move toward digital sovereignty, the Danish government has announced plans to transition from Microsoft Windows and Office to open-source alternatives like Linux and LibreOffice across its public sector, following a growing trend among European nations. This shift, affecting thousands of civil servants, including teachers, police, and government employees, is driven by a desire to enhance cybersecurity, protect data privacy, and reduce reliance on U.S. tech giants.
Denmark’s decision, reported on June 16, 2025, emphasizes “digital sovereignty” as a key motivator. By adopting Linux-based systems and LibreOffice, the government aims to keep sensitive citizen and administrative data within European jurisdiction, avoiding potential access by U.S. companies under laws like the CLOUD Act. This move echoes similar efforts across Europe, such as Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein state, which is phasing out Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, and Excel for 30,000 civil servants in favor of open-source software. Schleswig-Holstein is also moving its data from Microsoft Azure to a European-based cloud, citing concerns over data security and sovereignty.
The push for open-source software isn’t new in Europe. France’s Gendarmerie, for example, successfully transitioned over 103,000 workstations to GendBuntu, a custom Ubuntu-based Linux distribution, achieving 97% adoption by June 2024. These initiatives highlight cost savings—open-source software is often free or low-cost compared to Microsoft’s licensing fees—alongside enhanced security, as open-source code can be audited and customized to address vulnerabilities.
However, not all transitions have been smooth. Munich, Germany, famously switched to Linux in 2004 but reverted to Windows a decade later, influenced partly by political pressures and Microsoft’s decision to relocate its European headquarters to the city. Critics, like X user @castrotech, argue that such moves can veer into “digital parochialism,” questioning whether governments would adopt non-European open-source solutions with the same enthusiasm. Others, like @secretsofprivac, frame Denmark’s shift as a stand against U.S. tech dominance, citing companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI.
The Danish initiative, like Schleswig-Holstein’s, signals a broader European resistance to proprietary software’s “walled garden” model. By prioritizing open-source alternatives, these governments aim to foster local tech ecosystems, reduce vendor lock-in, and ensure greater control over critical infrastructure. As one X user noted, “european governments are breaking away from amerikan tech companies to preserve digital sovereignty,” reflecting a sentiment of reclaiming technological autonomy.
While the transition promises long-term benefits, challenges like retraining staff and ensuring software compatibility remain. Denmark’s move, however, could inspire other nations to follow suit, potentially reshaping the global software landscape.
By Technology Correspondent
Published: June 17, 2025
