Denmark aims to minimize the utilization of Microsoft products at a significant government ministry.
New Tech Ritzau Report
Denmark's got the Potential to Break Free from Tech Giants Like Microsoft, Thanks to Minister for Digitisation Caroline Stage's Vision
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Denmark might need to buckle up as Minister for Digitisation Caroline Stage sets her sights high on making the country less reliant on big tech companies such as Microsoft.
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The ambitious plan is part of a new digitisation strategy that has gained support from regional and municipal authorities. This strategy, dubbed "digital sovereignty," aims to reduce Denmark's reliance on tech titans.
In an interview with newspaper Politiken, Minister Stage confirmed the strategy, revealing the Ministry of Digitisation would be phasing out Microsoft products and gradually transitioning to open-source alternatives, like Libre Office. More than half of the ministry's staff will make the switch in the next month. The goal is for all staff to be using open-source software by the end of the year.
News of this digitisation ministry move follows earlier decisions by municipal governments in Copenhagen and Aarhus to drop Microsoft as their main IT supplier. Financial concerns, concerns about dependency, and geopolitical tensions under the current US administration played a role in those decisions.
Denmark's relationship with the US, a major exporter of digital services, has grown strained thanks to President Trump's ambition to seize control of Greenland, and reports suggesting the US is interested in escalating spying activities on Greenland and Denmark. These circumstances have sparked debates in Denmark about data protection and the country's dependence on US digital infrastructure.
Jan Damsgaard, head of the Department of Digitalization at Copenhagen Business School, praised the digitalisation ministry for testing user-driven open-source systems like Libre Office. However, Damsgaard pointed out that successful transitions to open-source systems require substantial IT know-how, as lack of in-house development capabilities can impede implementation.
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Jonathan Simôes ### See Also
Denmark’s push for digital sovereignty is about more than just cost savings
Denmark’s recent policy shift towards digital sovereignty, symbolized by its Ministry for Digital Affairs phasing out Microsoft software in favor of Linux and LibreOffice, reflects broader concerns about control over digital infrastructure, data security, and economic dependence on foreign tech providers. This move, driven by concerns regarding data breaches, surveillance, potential disruptions, and cost savings, serves as a testbed for future expansions to other government bodies, municipalities, and regions.
However, implementing open-source alternatives is not without challenges. Transitioning from platforms like Microsoft Office to open-source alternatives such as LibreOffice requires employee training and support, potentially affecting productivity temporarily. Ensuring interoperability between open-source solutions and existing systems, as well as providing comprehensive support networks, can also be difficult.
Denmark’s move towards digital independence aligns with growing concerns across Europe about technological competition and sovereignty. The approach could inspire other nations to pursue similar initiatives. The European Conference 2025 in Aalborg represents an opportunity for further discussion on digital investments and sovereignty. Reducing dependence on US tech providers could impact diplomatic and economic relations, particularly as countries assert more control over their digital ecosystems.
- Denmark's new digitisation strategy, dubbed "digital sovereignty," aims to reduce its reliance on tech titans, including Microsoft, and promote the use of open-source alternatives like Libre Office.
- As part of this strategy, Minister for Digitisation Caroline Stage has announced that more than half of the Ministry's staff will switch to open-source software in the next month, with the goal of all staff using open-source software by the end of the year.
