A German state has officially stopped using Microsoft Teams. Officials decided to uninstall the software due to privacy concerns and a push for more control over their digital tools. The announcement adds to the growing debate in Europe over using American tech platforms for government work.
The German state of Schleswig-Holstein confirmed it will fully switch to open-source software. This move affects not only Microsoft Teams but also other Microsoft programs like Word and Excel. Instead, the state will use open-source tools such as LibreOffice for documents and Matrix for communication.
Germany has been working to cut its dependence on foreign tech companies. Privacy laws like GDPR make European governments cautious about how foreign platforms handle user data. Many officials worry that US-based services do not meet Europe’s strict privacy standards.
The German state’s Education Minister, Dirk Schrödter, said they are focused on giving schools, offices, and agencies digital independence. He explained that using open-source software will allow the state to adapt tools to its own needs without depending on private corporations.
This is part of a wider trend in Europe. Other governments and agencies are also considering switching to open-source alternatives to protect privacy and save long-term costs.
For Microsoft, this is another challenge in keeping European government clients. The company said it continues to work with regulators to address privacy concerns.
Whether more German states or other European countries will follow remains to be seen, but the decision from Schleswig-Holstein is already sending a clear message: Europe wants digital independence.
