French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Thursday that all government officials will stop using American-owned video conferencing software, switching instead to a new French-made platform as part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on US digital infrastructure.
In a letter to his Cabinet, Mr. Lecornu confirmed that government agencies will transition to “Visio”, a video conferencing tool developed by the French government, replacing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The rollout is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
“Video conferencing services now play a decisive role in the day-to-day operations of our central administrations,” Mr. Lecornu wrote. “Non-European-made tools pose several risks, including cybersecurity threats and lack of control over sensitive data.”
The French government’s push for Visio aligns with a growing European trend to achieve digital autonomy, reducing reliance on foreign technology in strategic sectors. “We cannot risk exposing our scientific exchanges, sensitive data, and strategic innovations to non-European actors,” government minister David Amiel said in an official statement.
Visio was developed in partnership with Outscale, a France-based cloud company, while two French artificial intelligence firms, Pyannote and Kyutai, provided services for transcription and subtitling. Officials stressed that the platform will meet stringent security and privacy requirements, which they say foreign tools cannot guarantee.
The move follows recent tensions between Europe and the United States, including a dispute over Greenland’s sovereignty, highlighting concerns over the reliance on American technologies for sensitive governmental operations. European leaders have increasingly emphasized the need for technological independence in areas such as defense, AI, and public administration.
This initiative is the latest in a series of steps by France to secure its digital sovereignty. In July 2025, Mr. Lecornu’s predecessor, François Bayrou, encouraged officials to adopt a French messaging application, Tchap, instead of foreign-owned alternatives such as WhatsApp and Signal.
In November, France and Germany signed an agreement with SAP, a German software company, and Mistral AI, a French AI firm, to develop a new AI tool for public administrations in both countries. Similarly, the German government has been promoting the use of domestic software, with its state-owned Center for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration creating openDesk, an alternative to Microsoft Office, for federal agencies.
Other European nations are also increasing scrutiny of foreign digital platforms. In the Netherlands, lawmakers recently held a parliamentary hearing to review the attempted acquisition of a digital system—developed by a US company and spun off from IBM—that helps residents access government services, including pensions and health insurance. Officials cited potential risks to national data sovereignty if the platform fell under foreign control.
Analysts say France’s adoption of Visio reflects both practical and strategic concerns. On one hand, the government seeks to better protect sensitive communications. On the other, it signals a shift in Europe’s approach to technology policy, emphasizing self-reliance amid growing geopolitical tensions.
For French authorities, the transition also represents a major operational challenge. Training staff and ensuring interoperability with other government systems will require significant investment and careful coordination. Officials have promised that technical support will be available throughout the rollout to minimize disruption to government activities.
As Europe moves toward digital autonomy, Visio may set a precedent for other sectors where sensitive data and operational security are paramount. Analysts note that the decision could encourage other countries to explore domestically developed solutions, reducing their dependence on US-based technology providers in strategic domains.
