France to ditch Windows for Linux to reduce reliance on US tech

France is migrating government computers from Microsoft Windows to Linux as part of a broader digital sovereignty strategy to reduce dependence on U.S. technology, driven by concerns about data control and geopolitical instability. This signals a growing European trend toward open-source alternatives and homegrown solutions, with potential implications for software licensing models, vendor lock-in risks, and IT infrastructure costs across public and private sectors. CIOs should anticipate increased pressure to evaluate open-source alternatives, assess supply chain dependencies on U.S. technology providers, and develop contingency plans for potential restrictions on U.S. software access.