digital sovereignty

  1. How Abu Dhabi’s AI-Driven Smart City Revolution Is Transforming Urban Governance

    Potholes, more than just city road hazards, have long been an unlikely symbol for how government meets citizen expectations. In the past, the act of reporting and fixing a pothole was a measure of responsiveness, a litmus test for infrastructure management, and a pointer to citizen engagement...
  2. Europe Faces US AI Lock-In: Challenges and Strategies for Digital Sovereignty

    The tower of artificial intelligence, it seems, may have a very American lock on the front door. This, at least, was the sobering consensus coming out of a recent summit called by Germany’s national competition regulator, the Bundeskartellamt, where a cross-section of the European AI ecosystem...
  3. EU Considers Transitioning from Microsoft Azure to European Cloud Providers for Digital Sovereignty

    The European Commission is actively exploring the possibility of transitioning its cloud infrastructure from Microsoft Azure to a European-based provider, with France's OVHcloud emerging as a leading candidate. This strategic move underscores the EU's commitment to enhancing digital sovereignty...
  4. Denmark Phases Out Microsoft Office for Open-Source Alternatives by 2026

    Denmark's recent decision to phase out Microsoft Office in favor of open-source alternatives marks a significant shift in the nation's digital strategy. By 2026, all government institutions are slated to replace Microsoft's productivity suite with alternatives like LibreOffice, aiming to enhance...
  5. Congress Bans WhatsApp on Official Devices: A New Era of Secure Government Communication

    The recent directive from the United States House of Representatives’ Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) telling Congressional staffers to remove Meta Platform Inc.’s WhatsApp from all work devices has ignited a serious conversation about digital security, privacy, and the evolving landscape of...
  6. European Commission Moves Towards European Cloud Sovereignty with OVHcloud

    The European Commission is reportedly in advanced discussions with French cloud service provider OVHcloud to transition its cloud services away from Microsoft. This move underscores the EU's growing emphasis on digital sovereignty and reducing reliance on non-European technology providers...
  7. Microsoft 365 Local: Transforming Digital Sovereignty in Europe

    Microsoft's recent unveiling of "Microsoft 365 Local" marks a significant shift in its cloud strategy, introducing on-premises solutions tailored for European customers. This move appears to be a direct response to the escalating demand for digital sovereignty across Europe, where concerns over...
  8. Denmark Replaces Microsoft Office with LibreOffice to Boost Digital Sovereignty

    Denmark's Ministry of Digital Affairs has announced a strategic shift in its software infrastructure, opting to replace Microsoft Office with the open-source suite LibreOffice while retaining the Windows operating system. This decision underscores the ministry's commitment to enhancing digital...
  9. The Rise of Sovereign Cloud: Securing Digital Sovereignty in a Strategic Era

    The narrative arc of cloud computing has evolved dramatically over the last decade. Where public cloud once symbolized agility, scalability, and economies of scale, a new imperative has now arisen on the world stage: sovereignty. Across boardrooms, government chambers, and data centers, IT...
  10. Microsoft’s Comprehensive Sovereign Solutions: Redefining Data Privacy and Digital Sovereignty in Europe

    Microsoft’s unveiling of its Comprehensive Sovereign Solutions suite has sent distinct ripples across the European tech landscape, carving a new benchmark for data residency, governance, and digital sovereignty at a time when the stakes for trust, regulatory compliance, and national autonomy...
  11. EU’s Cloud Sovereignty Push: Moving from Microsoft Azure to European Providers

    The European Union’s evolving stance on digital sovereignty is entering a consequential phase as reports emerge of the European Commission seriously weighing a migration of its cloud services from Microsoft Azure to a European provider, potentially OVHcloud. According to investigative reporting...
  12. Denmark’s Bold Shift: Moving from Windows to Linux and LibreOffice for Greater Digital Sovereignty

    Denmark’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is embarking on a bold and closely watched transformation: phasing out Windows and Office 365 in favor of Linux and LibreOffice across a major segment of its governmental IT infrastructure. With the announcement by Minister Caroline Stage Olsen, Denmark...
  13. European Cloud Sovereignty: OVHcloud's Move Against US Giants in Digital Independence Shift

    For years, the European technology landscape has been defined—sometimes hampered—by a dependency on American cloud giants. Now, in an era marked by shifting geopolitical winds and mounting concerns over digital sovereignty, the tides appear to be turning. French cloud provider OVHcloud has found...
  14. EU Moves Toward Digital Sovereignty: OVHcloud Could Replace Microsoft Azure

    In a potentially transformative moment for the European tech landscape, the European Commission is actively considering a move away from Microsoft Azure as its primary cloud service provider, with France-based OVHcloud emerging as the leading candidate. This shift, which has come to light...
  15. Microsoft Sovereign Cloud Revolutionizes Data Sovereignty in Europe

    As data sovereignty rapidly ascends the list of priorities for European enterprises, Microsoft’s newly announced Sovereign Cloud program represents one of the tech industry’s most consequential responses to mounting regulatory, geopolitical, and privacy pressures. With the nuances of digital...
  16. Denmark Switches to Linux and LibreOffice for Greater Digital Sovereignty in 2025

    Denmark's Ministry of Digitalization has announced a significant shift in its IT infrastructure, planning to transition from Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office 365 suite to open-source alternatives, specifically Linux and LibreOffice. This move is set to commence in June 2025, with...
  17. Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty: Enhancing Digital Independence in Europe

    Microsoft's recent introduction of the Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty aims to address the growing demand for digital sovereignty among European organizations. This initiative seeks to empower entities to operate independently, securely, and autonomously within the cloud environment. However...
  18. Windows 11 Account Lockout Controversy Sparks Privacy and User Choice Debate

    In the rapidly evolving landscape of Windows operating systems, a recent incident has thrust Microsoft’s user policies into the spotlight, sparking heated debate across social media, forums, and mainstream tech outlets. On June 17th, a Windows 11 user shared a deeply frustrating experience on...
  19. European Governments Shift from Microsoft to Open-Source Software for Digital Sovereignty

    Few developments in European government IT have made as many international waves as the current trend of public institutions ditching Microsoft software in favor of open-source alternatives. This phenomenon, which recently accelerated with high-profile moves by Denmark and Germany’s...
  20. Microsoft’s Sovereign Cloud: Ensuring Data Privacy and Digital Autonomy in Europe

    Amid mounting concerns over digital sovereignty and data privacy, Microsoft is taking significant steps to reassure its European customer base that their data will remain protected and under local control. The expansion of Microsoft’s Sovereign Cloud offering is more than just a technical...