Key Takeaways
- France will replace Microsoft Teams and Zoom with a domestically‑built video‑conferencing service called Visio by 2027.[^1][^2]
- The move is driven by concerns over data security, national sovereignty and growing EU pressure to reduce reliance on U.S. cloud providers.[^3][^4][^8]
- Visio is being hosted on a French‑government cloud, incorporates AI‑assisted transcription, and is expected to save roughly €1 million per 100 000 users.[^4][^5]
- More than 40 000 civil‑service users are already testing the platform, with a full rollout planned across all ministries within the next year.[^4]
- The decision aligns with a broader European push for digital sovereignty, echoed in a recent non‑binding EU Parliament resolution.[^4]
Introduction
Paris announced a decisive shift in its public‑sector communications strategy: by 2027 the French government will retire the American‑owned video‑conferencing tools Microsoft Teams and Zoom in favour of a home‑grown solution named Visio. The policy, described by officials as a “sovereign platform,” aims to curb the exposure of sensitive governmental discussions to foreign jurisdictions and to reinforce Europe’s growing ambition for digital autonomy.[^1][^2][^3]
Background and Timeline
The rollout was unveiled on 27 January 2026, with the Minister Delegate for the Civil Service, David Amiel, confirming that Visio will be deployed across every French administration by the end of 2027.[^2][^5] The plan follows a year‑long pilot that involved approximately 40 000 civil‑service users who have already evaluated the platform’s performance and security features.[^4]
What Is Visio?
Visio is a fully French‑developed video‑conferencing application created by the Interministerial Digital Intelligence Unit (DINUM). It runs on a secure French cloud infrastructure by Outscale and incorporates artificial‑intelligence tools for real‑time transcription and automated meeting notes.[^4][^5] According to the EU‑focused briefing, the service could generate savings of about €1 million for each 100 000 users, reinforcing the economic case for a domestically controlled alternative.[^4]
Security and Data‑Sovereignty Concerns
French officials have repeatedly warned that reliance on U.S. platforms poses a “harmful habit” that could jeopardise the confidentiality of state negotiations.[^5] The move mirrors wider European anxieties highlighted in recent commentary: the EU Parliament’s non‑binding resolution urges member states to favour European cloud and software providers over American giants such as AWS, Azure and Google Cloud.[^4] Critics of the current arrangement cite U.S. export‑control regimes and data‑privacy legislation as additional risk factors.[^3][^8]
“We’ve become dependent on programs like Teams or Zoom. We need to overcome this harmful habit at the national level to ensure the security of our negotiations under any circumstances.” – David Amiel, Minister Delegate for the Civil Service.[^5]
Implementation Roadmap and Expected Impact
- 2026 Q2‑Q4: Final integration testing and migration of pilot users.
- 2027 Q1: Mandatory adoption across all ministries, agencies and public‑sector entities.
- Long‑term: Potential expansion to local authorities and education institutions, creating a unified French digital communication ecosystem.
Analysts anticipate that the shift could improve data protection compliance, lower licensing costs, and stimulate the domestic tech sector by creating demand for French‑based cloud services and AI solutions.[^4][^5]
Conclusion
France’s decision to replace Microsoft Teams and Zoom with Visio marks a pivotal moment in the continent’s quest for digital sovereignty. By 2027, the French public sector aims to operate on a fully sovereign platform, reducing exposure to foreign legal regimes and reinforcing national security. The rollout will also serve as a test case for other EU members contemplating similar moves, potentially reshaping the European software market for years to come.
References
[^1]: France to ditch US platforms Microsoft Teams, Zoom for ‘sovereign …’. Yahoo News. Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
[^2]: France to ditch US platforms Microsoft Teams, Zoom for ‘sovereign platform’ amid security concerns. Inbox.lv. Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
[^3]: France to ditch American video conferencing services. RT. Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
[^4]: EU Pushes for Tech Sovereignty by Ditching U.S. Cloud Giants. X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
[^5]: France to ban American video conferencing services. News.az. Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
[^6]: European reliance on US software: A digital sovereignty challenge • FRANCE 24 English. YouTube. Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
[^7]: Goodbye Teams with Visio the French government. Reddit. Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
[^8]: France’s Digital Decoupling: A European Call for Sovereignty. The Piaz. Retrieved 27 Jan 2026.
