France Shifts to Linux to Enhance Digital Sovereignty

• •France is transitioning from Windows to Linux for government systems.
• •The move aims to enhance digital sovereignty and control over data.
• •No specific timeline or Linux distribution details have been provided.

France has announced a transition from Microsoft Windows to Linux for its government computers to reduce reliance on U.S. technology. This decision was made during an interministerial seminar on April 8, 2026, emphasizing the need for digital sovereignty. French minister David Amiel stated that the government aims to regain control over its data and digital infrastructure. The specific timeline for the migration and the Linux distributions to be used have not been disclosed. This move follows France's previous decision to replace Microsoft Teams with a French-developed video conferencing tool. The shift is part of a broader European trend to decrease dependency on U.S. tech companies amid geopolitical tensions. The French government also plans to migrate its health data platform to a new trusted system by the end of the year. Microsoft has not yet responded to this announcement.