Denmark drops US Microsoft in tech sovereignty push

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Jun 2025 08:01

Denmark plans to swap Microsoft tools for open-source software to boost control over national data and reduce reliance on US tech.

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The logo for Microsoft, and a scene from Activision "Call of Duty - Modern Warfare," are shown in this photo, in New York, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (AP)

Denmark’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is reportedly preparing to eliminate Microsoft products from its internal systems, signaling a deliberate shift away from US tech giants in favor of European digital independence. According to Politiken, the move marks a major step in Denmark’s long-term effort to assert greater control over its digital infrastructure.

Leading the transition is Digital Affairs Minister Caroline Stage Olsen, who has outlined plans to replace Microsoft’s Windows operating system and Office 365 suite with open-source software, specifically Linux and LibreOffice. The rollout is expected to begin within weeks, with approximately half of the ministry’s staff set to transition by the end of summer.

If the plan unfolds on schedule, the ministry could be operating entirely without Microsoft software by early autumn. According to Politiken, internal preparations are already underway, and staff will receive guidance and training on using the new systems.

The Digital Ministry’s decision reflects a broader concern over national vulnerability to foreign platforms. In April, Stage Olsen cautioned that continued reliance on US-based digital tools poses strategic risks. “There is a risk that third countries could cut off access,” she warned, urging the European Union to cultivate conditions for homegrown digital infrastructure.

Olsen leads shift to open-source software

Stage Olsen has emerged as a vocal advocate for digital sovereignty, a concept gaining ground among EU member states. The adoption of open-source software such as Linux and LibreOffice is seen not only as a cost-saving measure but also as a means of gaining transparency and control over government data systems.

Officials from the ministry emphasized that this is not merely a technical upgrade but a political and strategic one. The move reflects growing support across the EU for Microsoft alternatives, particularly in public institutions where concerns about data privacy, licensing costs, and unilateral access control persist.

The ministry’s transition comes ahead of Denmark’s forthcoming four-year digitalization strategy, which is expected to focus heavily on reinforcing the country’s digital autonomy. Early drafts reportedly emphasize reduced dependence on foreign platforms, increased investment in domestic tech capabilities, and broader adoption of open-source standards.

Stage Olsen has described the upcoming strategy as “a blueprint for safeguarding Denmark’s digital future,” signaling that further initiatives may follow the ministry’s example in ditching proprietary software. Denmark’s move adds momentum to a growing European discourse on reducing dependency on non-European tech providers. Several EU countries have already taken initial steps toward diversifying their digital ecosystems, and the European Commission has voiced support for initiatives that encourage open-source innovation within the union.

While no EU-wide policy has yet been adopted, Denmark’s bold approach may influence future policy directions, particularly as debates around data sovereignty and strategic resilience gain urgency.