Microsoft has extended Windows 10 support for another year, requiring users to subscribe to Microsoft 365. This subscription model stores data in U.S.-based data centers, raising privacy concerns among European Union (EU) organizations and individuals. Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, in an opinion piece for The Register, highlights that this decision has intensified existing worries about data sovereignty and corporate oversight, especially given the political climate in the United States.
The article notes that the EU’s growing interest in Linux as a desktop operating system is not a new phenomenon, but recent developments have accelerated this trend. This shift is driven by a combination of privacy protection, enhanced security features, and broader concerns about trust in American tech giants. Recent events, such as the U.S. government’s response to the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including sanctions on the ICC and the apparent disruption of access to Microsoft email accounts, have further fueled these apprehensions.
Several European nations have already begun transitioning to Linux, with Denmark and Germany leading the way in moving away from Microsoft software. Other countries like France and Germany are implementing Linux-based solutions across their public sectors, showcasing a collective effort to reduce dependency on U.S. technology. The article concludes by suggesting that the move toward Linux desktops is not only a pragmatic technological shift but also a strategic decision aimed at asserting digital autonomy in an era of growing geopolitical tension.