Governments around the world are rethinking their tech partnerships. They want more control over their own digital systems. Many countries, especially in Europe, are starting to break away from big tech companies. They are looking for new ways to manage their data and operations.
France is the latest country to make a big move in this direction. The city of Lyon, the third largest in France, just announced a bold plan. They will swap out Microsoft’s Windows and Office software. Instead, they will use Linux and other free productivity tools. This is a multi-phase effort to reduce their reliance on Microsoft.
Here’s a surprising twist: Lyon isn’t going with LibreOffice, which is a popular open-source choice. Instead, they picked OnlyOffice, a software suite made by Ascensio Systems from Latvia. This decision raised some eyebrows. The commercial version of OnlyOffice has been banned in several European countries. This is because Ascensio Systems has ties to Russia. Despite this, Lyon plans to install a Linux system and use PostgreSQL for its databases. This change won’t happen overnight. Lyon has over 10,000 public employees. Like Germany and Denmark, the city will slowly make the change, with lots of training for staff.
Building Their Own Tech
Lyon isn’t just switching software; they’re also building their own. They announced a new collaborative package called “Territoire Numerique Ouvert,” which means “Open Digital Territory.” This open-source tool will handle video calls and office teamwork. Think of it like Microsoft Teams, but without needing Microsoft. This shows a growing trend where governments want to control their own digital tools.
Why the Big Switch?
This push for Linux and open-source software isn’t just about saving money. It’s mostly about digital sovereignty. Governments worry about who controls their data. They also think about how tech companies manage information. For example, the European Union became very concerned after Microsoft blocked the email accounts of an International Criminal Court judge. Political events, like Donald Trump coming to power, also made governments more aware of their digital independence.
Lyon is not alone in this strategy. The French Police already use their own version of Ubuntu, a type of Linux. Countries like Germany and Denmark started their own moves to Linux and LibreOffice in the next three years. This isn’t just a small trend; it’s a major shift in how governments handle their technology.