TL;DR
- Two of Denmark’s biggest municipalities, Copenhagen and Aarhus, are moving away from Microsoft due to concerns over US Big Tech and the policies of Donald Trump.
- The decision is part of a larger trend in European governments to reduce their reliance on American technology companies.
- Denmark’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is preparing to eliminate Microsoft products from its internal systems, opting for open-source software instead.
Introduction
In a significant move, two of Denmark’s largest cities, Copenhagen and Aarhus, have announced their decision to phase out Microsoft as a provider of various IT systems. This decision is driven by concerns over the economy, the “monopoly-like” control of the company, and the geopolitical climate under US President Donald Trump. The cities are looking to reduce their reliance on US Big Tech companies and increase their digital sovereignty.
Background
The move by Copenhagen and Aarhus is not isolated, as there is a growing trend in European governments to reduce their dependence on American technology companies. In the Netherlands, the parliament has approved motions to build a digital cloud and reduce its dependence on US cloud technology. This trend is driven by concerns over data privacy, licensing costs, and the potential for US companies to be forced to shut down their services in Europe due to political pressures.
Denmark’s Digital Sovereignty Push
Denmark’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is leading the charge in the country’s digital sovereignty push. The ministry is preparing to eliminate Microsoft products from its internal systems, opting for open-source software instead. This move is expected to boost control over national data and reduce reliance on US tech. The ministry’s decision reflects a broader concern over national vulnerability to foreign platforms, and it is part of a larger effort to assert greater control over Denmark’s digital infrastructure.
European Alternatives
The Danish cities are looking to European alternatives to replace Microsoft. In Aarhus, a German service provider has already replaced Microsoft, reducing annual costs in the culture and citizens’ department from 800,000 kroner to 225,000 kroner. Copenhagen is also expected to find a European alternative to Microsoft. The shift to open-source software is seen as a means of gaining transparency and control over government data systems.
Conclusion
The decision by Copenhagen and Aarhus to move away from Microsoft is a significant step towards digital sovereignty. As European governments continue to reduce their reliance on US Big Tech companies, it is likely that we will see more cities and countries following suit. This trend has implications for the future of the tech industry and the way governments approach digital infrastructure.
References
[^1]: Anna Desmarais (2025-06-12). “Two city governments in Denmark are moving away from Microsoft amid Trump and US Big Tech concerns“. Euronews. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
[^2]: Ritzau/The Local (2025-06-03). “Danish cities drop Microsoft over Trump policies and financial concerns“. The Local. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
[^3]: Al Mayadeen English (2025-06-10). “Denmark drops US Microsoft in tech sovereignty push“. Al Mayadeen English. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
