Denmark Shifts from Microsoft to Open-Source Software Amid Sovereignty Concerns

Denmark's government has announced plans to transition from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice, citing digital sovereignty concerns. Minister of Digitalization Caroline Stage is leading this initiative as part of a broader European Union movement to reduce dependence on foreign technology providers, particularly those based in the United States. The decision reflects growing concerns about control over European data and potential service disruptions during geopolitical tensions.

The article references an incident involving the International Criminal Court (ICC), where reports claimed Microsoft locked the ICC Chief Prosecutor out of email accounts following sanctions issued by President Trump. While Microsoft chairman Brad Smith denied the company's involvement in service cessation to the ICC, the incident has heightened concerns about potential vulnerabilities. Denmark's largest cities, Copenhagen and Aarhus, had already announced plans to phase out Microsoft software prior to the national government's decision.

Financial considerations also factor into Denmark's decision, with Copenhagen reporting a 72% increase in Microsoft software costs over five years. The city's expenditure rose from 313 million kroner in 2018 to 538 million kroner (approximately $53 million) in 2023. Danish officials are now recommending that companies and authorities develop exit plans from American-based cloud services and ensure strong data ownership.

Denmark is not alone in its concerns about American technology dependence. Other European Union members have expressed similar reservations, with Dutch European Parliament member Bart Groothuis advocating for a European cloud solution. The transition from Microsoft's ecosystem to alternatives like NextCloud, LibreOffice, and Linux is expected to require significant time and effort, with some Danish officials questioning the feasibility of achieving complete digital sovereignty.

Denmark's position as one of the world's most digitalized countries makes its shift particularly notable. According to David Heinemeier Hansson, a Danish software developer, the country's high dependence on Microsoft makes it a logical starting point for pursuing digital sovereignty. The transition represents part of a broader European effort to establish greater technological independence amid changing international relations.