France's Digital War: Zoom Takes the Hit in Europe's Escalation Against American Big Tech
In a move that signals the beginning of a digital war between Europe and America, France has announced its intention to ditch American video conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, opting instead for Visio, a French-made alternative. The decision is part of the country's broader strategy to assert its own digital sovereignty in the face of rising tensions with the US.
The move comes as the European Union and the US have found themselves at odds over issues such as regulation, trade, and influence. The EU has long sought to regulate digital platforms on its own terms, while the Trump administration has pushed back against these efforts, viewing them as "overseas extortion." In response, some European countries are taking a harder stance, threatening to impose tariffs and other restrictions on American tech giants.
"By ending our reliance on non-European solutions, we can ensure the security and confidentiality of public electronic communications," said French delegate minister David Amiel. "This is about asserting our own digital sovereignty and protecting our citizens' data."
The decision to switch to Visio marks a significant shift for France, which has long been reliant on American tech giants like Microsoft and Google. The new platform is part of the Suite Numérique, an open-source application designed specifically for public servants and developed by the French government in collaboration with the Netherlands and Germany.
While the move may seem small compared to other steps Europe could take, such as imposing tariffs or issuing a formal ultimatum to American tech giants, it represents a significant shift in tone and policy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made clear that the EU will not be dictated to by the US on issues of digital regulation, saying "We set our own standards. We set our own regulations. Europe will always decide for itself."
As tensions between Europe and America continue to escalate, it's likely that France's decision on Zoom is just the beginning. With its economy increasingly reliant on American tech giants, the EU is taking a stand to protect its interests and ensure that European citizens' data is protected. The digital war has officially begun, with Zoom as the first casualty.
In a move that signals the beginning of a digital war between Europe and America, France has announced its intention to ditch American video conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, opting instead for Visio, a French-made alternative. The decision is part of the country's broader strategy to assert its own digital sovereignty in the face of rising tensions with the US.
The move comes as the European Union and the US have found themselves at odds over issues such as regulation, trade, and influence. The EU has long sought to regulate digital platforms on its own terms, while the Trump administration has pushed back against these efforts, viewing them as "overseas extortion." In response, some European countries are taking a harder stance, threatening to impose tariffs and other restrictions on American tech giants.
"By ending our reliance on non-European solutions, we can ensure the security and confidentiality of public electronic communications," said French delegate minister David Amiel. "This is about asserting our own digital sovereignty and protecting our citizens' data."
The decision to switch to Visio marks a significant shift for France, which has long been reliant on American tech giants like Microsoft and Google. The new platform is part of the Suite Numérique, an open-source application designed specifically for public servants and developed by the French government in collaboration with the Netherlands and Germany.
While the move may seem small compared to other steps Europe could take, such as imposing tariffs or issuing a formal ultimatum to American tech giants, it represents a significant shift in tone and policy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made clear that the EU will not be dictated to by the US on issues of digital regulation, saying "We set our own standards. We set our own regulations. Europe will always decide for itself."
As tensions between Europe and America continue to escalate, it's likely that France's decision on Zoom is just the beginning. With its economy increasingly reliant on American tech giants, the EU is taking a stand to protect its interests and ensure that European citizens' data is protected. The digital war has officially begun, with Zoom as the first casualty.
so france is basically saying they don't wanna use american video conferencing platforms anymore? like what's the big deal about visio? is it really better for security and confidentiality? 
and why did europe start this digital war thingy with america? didn't they used to be friends? 
do you think americans will retaliate or just chill out? 
but at the same time its like they're not even trying to hide their hand 
its still americas best bet for video conf calls and i dont think europe will be able to compete with that 
weve already seen what happens when europe tries to regulate tech companies like amazon and google 
So, what's really going down here? France ditching Zoom for Visio just sounds like another US-Europe beef to me. I mean, when did it become a national security issue that our video conferencing platforms are American-made? 
At least France is taking a stand, though. Maybe we should see more European countries follow suit and show America who's boss. 